Jonathan Tony Podcast

This is the second part of my talk with my pastor Jeffrey Goodman. In this episode we explore how the church should, shouldn't, and doesn't navigate itself in the never ending onslaught of trending issues, news, and politics. As Christians we know we are supposed to be a "City on a Hill," yet we have to live in a real world with systems and subjects we can't ignore. So I wanted to ask Jeffrey how he handles these things and more. 

I got to have my pastor Jeffrey Goodman on the podcast. He is the lead pastor of Destiny Church in Leesburg, VA. We ended up extending the convo into two episodes, but this first one will cover his background, the call to plant a church, and the challenges he faced. 

My neighbor Bryan works on satellites that are literally flying around above our heads right now! And before he did that, he was basically the Wolf of Wall Street. He's also written a book and working on another one. I thought he would be a great guest to have on to talk about a variety of things, and I was wrong. Just kidding. This episode packs in a lot of info but it's fun as I got to learn more about Bryan's story, some physics, and that I could never survive as a stock broker. Bryan will definitely be back on as we didn't have enough time to get into everything he can speak to, but I hope you enjoy round one. 

"Life is a mystery. Everyone must stand alone. I hear you call my name, and it feels like home . . . Just like a prayer your voice can take me there." 

- That's from a beautiful poem I wrote to my wife.  

So what is prayer? Is it merely asking God for stuff while he ignores us? Is it begging? Is it one-way communication? 

I talk with Linley Ali in this episode that really came at an important time for me and I've been trying to apply to my life what I learned in this episode since. I hope you enjoy it and it enhances your idea of prayer.

**Also in the opening segment I talk about how a religious group has oppressed me. I need your help in my fight back.

If you want to give some feedback, ask a question, or make a shoutout - leave a voicemail with the link below and it may end up on a future episode. https://anchor.fm/jonathan-tony/message

I don't know how to really introduce this episode beyond the fact that I like Hasan and wanted to have him on the show. We've known each other for a few years and I enjoy reading what he has to say on social media about national and local news. He's a hardworking, Black American father of three, and I wanted to have him on because he has a perspective on life that I don't have. This episode is not an interview but a conversation and I hope you enjoy hearing the thoughts of someone who I respect. 

I didn't grow up around guns, but I grew up around people who grew up around guns. I've always been kind of afraid of them and I don't get the fuss over them, but I understand why someone would want to own one. In this episode, I talked to my friend Steffan who is a gun owner but who also sees that there are issues in our country with guns. I hope this is not the traditional debate you've heard on cable news 10,000 times because I wanted it to be a discussion, and even just an info session for me. 

Discipleship is a term you may not be familiar with because it is commonly used within the church. It's similar to mentorship. It's the practice of training others in a more personal approach, but it's so much more than that. I believe many American Christians have not experienced true discipleship because they may not have been given the opportunity or those who could disciple them have not been properly guided themselves. So we rely on Sunday mornings to do what should be done through discipleship, and a Sunday morning service can never fulfill that need.

My friend Matt Ulrich was someone I wanted to talk to specifically about discipleship because I know it is a passion of his, and he has studied the practice of discipleship more than anyone else I know. 

Even if you're not a Christian, I think there is good advice in this episode about how we can influence and help others to grow in their abilities. One of the things I like about the idea of true discipleship is that it's more than just giving people a checklist of items or personal sermons, it's about seeing the positive strengths someone has and using your power to enable them to use them, and then to do the same for others. 

A lot of people love the Enneagram. It's not a new thing, but it has definitely surged in popularity the last few years. My friend Maria West is not a self-described expert, but she sure knows a lot more than I do. I haven't got on the Enneagram train, so I figured a conversation with Maria would be a great place to start. We talk about Enneagram and what it can help us understand about our own lives. 

Kierkegaard is back and this time it's personal! - Sorry, I was just trying to hype it up like a movie sequel. But this is part 2 of the Kierkegaard discussion we had a few weeks back with Linley Ali and Kevin Krumei. In this episode, Linley and Kevin have brought in their friend Dave Boehmer to add to the discussion. So buckle up, nerds. 

If you're like me, you've probably just heard the name Soren Kierkegaard and a quote or two of his. But he is a figure who has been widely influential for ages, and even still today whether we realize it or not. This episode is a bit different, and yes it is dense. But I would challenge you to listen and treat it like your head and heart are getting a workout. It's good to dive into subject matters that stretch us, and that's partly why I find this discussion valuable to share with the listeners. But there is a lot to unpack here so I won't waste any more time with you reading this description of it. 

There is nothing quite as beautiful in this world as the story of an adoption. I've only known a few friends who have adopted children, and one set of them was Asha and Jake Junot. Asha and I were friends at UF and have remained social media friends since, and I followed their story of adoption. They were gracious enough to open up their story to the listeners of this show and invite us into the pain and joy. This is a great episode for those of us who have wondered why we seem to run in circles and why we can feel so far away from what we want. If you need some encouragement and your spirits uplifted, this one is for you.

You can follow Asha's Instagram page for messages of encouragement and reflection at @ashajuneoh

"You can be anything you want to be!" Most of us heard this while growing up, but is it actually true? Maybe it is, but it's not yet true for Mark Jones. 

Everyone records podcasts with successful people who have successful stories and then they listen to them thinking one day they can be successful too. Aren't you sick of that? That's why I wanted to talk to my friend Mark who is an entrepreneur without a success story . . . yet. I think you will enjoy hearing of his many endeavors and the reasons why he is still trying after all of this time. The struggle is real!

Not to sound like your senior high school year book that your friend signed, but what a long, strange journey it's been these last few years. If you grew up in the church like I did, you've probably had a lot of moments where you wondered, "What is wrong with these people?" "Am I still one of these people?" and, "Why are the people who raised me turning on me and on what they taught me?"

There's nothing new to hearing about people who have left the American Church give their opinions and chastisement of it, and I do think there is a place for that and Christians need to hear their words. However, I wanted to have a discussion with church kids who are now church adults and how we're handling these questions. 

Carlene and Dan are two friends I literally grew up with in Ocala, FL in the same church and Christian school. They have both experienced a lot of what I have, and we've all had to do some repenting and reworking in our lives and in our faith. In this episode, we talk about what has been a challenge in the American church, where we currently stand, why we're still grateful to it, and what hope we have for the future. Maybe you can relate to some of the thoughts shared here. 

Many of us who believe in God share different views of God. But there is a common perception of God, even if it is not spoken, that he is distant from us and often annoyed with us. We limit our prayers because we don't want to bother him, or we think he doesn't care. We may believe, again - even if we don't say it, that God was reluctant to give us salvation because we are so bad. While it is true that humans are sinful, it is untrue that God doesn't value us or loves us less because of it. 

In this episode, Linley and I will discuss who God is and who humans are, and why humanity is not just a whim of an idea or an accident for God to fix. Each of us has a purpose in life designed and planned by God, and His love for us is much greater than we have acknowledged. 

Conspiracy theories have always been around. Some of them are kind of of fun to think about. It's why "The X-Files" was a popular show. Is there really a Loch Ness Monster? What's up with Area 51? Is Elvis alive and living with Tupac? These are examples of mostly harmless conspiracy theories.

However in the last few years, we've seen a rise in conspiracy theories and the coverage and attention they get. They are often not just fun to think about, but they can actually lead to large groups committing violent acts. 

My friend JB is a unique thinker and doesn't mind reading and researching topics he finds interesting. As a result, a few years ago he found himself diving deep into conspiracy theories. Thankfully, he was able to leave the abyss of falsehoods and he was willing to discuss it with me. We'll talk about what he believed, why he believed it, and how he found his way out of it.

I don't really know how to sum up this episode. If you know Danny Strickland, you'll understand the challenge. If you don't know Danny, he's my friend, neighbor, and at one point he redid my kitchen cabinets. I wanted to have Danny on because 1) I think he's funny and interesting, and 2) he and his family have become foster parents and that is a story worth hearing about. 

This episode feels much like any normal conversation with Danny in that it covers a variety of topics and you want it to end sooner than it does.

We'll discuss his family's foster care experience(s), and then we go into talking politics. Danny is a self-described Conservative. And while I know some listeners will disagree with his conclusions, I hope you can still respect who he is as a person and how he comes to conclusions. I enjoyed the political discussion as we talk through ideas. 

My bandmate and 7th grade history teach Aaron Walsh returns for another exciting installment of "Adult Education," aka "Hmmm I Hope This Is Interesting For You." We're in the era of sensationalism and clickbait, but we'll go back to where it started and why. You'll hear learn about the Spanish-American War and that Pulitzer wasn't originally known for excellence in writing. We'll also discuss the current state of journalism, the fear that comes with it, and what we can do as ordinary citizens to help.

I thought about calling this episode "Church Chat" but I don't want to get sued by the Church Lady. This episode isn't so much interview style as it is a discussion about what the early church did and also what their practices could look like for a modern American church. We discuss the verse that many Christians have up in their homes - Acts 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." We'll go through each of those three items and how they can and should apply to us today.

Cassie Smith is a native of North Florida who has a father in law enforcement and a mother who has been involved in politics for years. She's also a lawyer. But aside from all of those aspects, she's just a great person whose opinions I respect. I wanted to talk to Cassie about some of the recent events in our country and get her take on it all. I gained so much from her insight, her graceful answers, and the challenges she presented to herself and others.  In this episode we cover: Protests Police brutality, Black Lives Matter, the attack on the Capitol, the American Church's response to injustice, the political arena, and how small changes and short conversations can lead to big changes.

Human trafficking is not a new issue. It is one of the worst sins of humankind, and sadly one of the most prevalent, as well. It's not a fun topic to discuss, but we need to know the realties of life for many people. Even in the darkness of the subject matter, I hope you'll find some inspiration and hope in my conversation with Seth Johnson. We also discuss how we can make a difference in our world by simply being aware and willing to help. 

Here are some of the organizations Seth recommends looking into and considering donating to or working with:

Internation Justice Mission (IJM) - https://www.ijm.org/

Wellspring Living - https://wellspringliving.org/

Polaris Project - https://polarisproject.org/

Love146 - https://love146.org/

In this episode we talk about working women, and specifically the ones who work while raising kids. There's no right option of being a stay-at-home mom or a working mom, both are challenging in their own ways. But in this episode we talk about some of the challenges and thoughts of two women who work while raising children. Two women I know pretty well, too. 

Sometimes I think that one of the worst things that could happen to Christianity is to have a version of American Christianity. I wouldn't say being an American Christian is inherently bad, but I would say it does bring with it a set of challenges. We can't help but force our mentality into the Scriptures, instead of letting the truth of the Scriptures transform our mentalities. 

America has many pastors who are really just motivational speakers telling people how to be more confident and make more money, not ones who are making disciples. So I sat down with my friend Trip Kimball who has been a pastor in the U.S. as well as in the Philippines for his perspective on the American Gospel and how compares to the Gospel lived out in other parts of the world.

You can find Trip and his writing at www.word-strong.com. 

The 7th grade history teacher is back, so get ready for some adult education. In this episode we discuss a term we've heard a lot of the last few years: "Nationalism."

I remember being a kid and fighting back tears when I heard "I'm Proud to be an American" playing on the speakers at my little league game. (I also teared up at Ray Boltz music videos, so I guess I was a softy.) We grow up pledging allegiance to the American flag and celebrating Fourth of July's proudly. 

Is loving your country wrong? Or if it's not wrong, can it become dangerous? I invite you to listen in with an open mind as we discuss nationalism. (Sadly no Hamilton songs on this one. But maybe a little Les Mis.)

In this episode I spoke with my wife's grandpa, Ron White, about the work he's done all over the world. For a few decades, he's gone on dozens of trips to perform optical exams and give out glasses to people in need. I figured he'd at least have one good story. I was right. 

We went with him to Honduras in 2015 and I realized that this kind of work isn't easy, and also that I am not very good at speaking Spanish. But I figured that this would be a discussion worth having, and I hope you'll be inspired to step out in some adventurous ways to help others. 

Hall & Oates told me "What you want is Adult Education." I know better than to second guess anything they tell me, so I decided to have Aaron Walsh back on the show to learn a little more. I am referring to our ongoing series as "Adult Education with Aaron Walsh." 

Seeing as it is an election year, I wanted to discuss the electoral college. What is the difference between a Democracy and a Republic? Do our votes actually matter as much as we think they do? 

We also discuss our two-party system. We technically don't just have two parties, but we have two dominate political parties. Why is that? Is there a chance it could change? Is it not as bad as it seems to be? 

This is an important one as we approach November 3rd. Remember, P. Diddy told us that we have to vote or die, so I want everyone to be safe out there and vote, and if you have to vote or die, you might as well do it in the most informed way possible.

God bless our teachers. As if teaching wasn't hard enough before, the coronavirus is adding all new challenges to this coming school year. The future of America relies heavily our education system, and it's my belief that teaching is a calling, much like being a pastor or nurse. You won't continue to teach year after year if you don't believe in your mission to the students of America. 

In this episode, we'll take a look at 

• The differences between public, private and charter schools
• How schools are funded
• Why test scores matter
• How schools are graded
• How teachers are given raises
• The challenges of students from low socioeconomic homes
• And the general thoughts and views of a public school teacher

As we move toward the fall semester, I hope this episode gives you something to think about and makes you grateful for our current teachers, and the ones who have given so much to you over the years. 

It often feels like everything is political these days. Things that shouldn't be politically partisan issues are forced onto the Left or Right side of the aisle by many people. One issue that I don’t think should belong to a political party is the issue of racial equality. We must be careful to hear what someone is saying, while simultaneously acknowledging what they are not saying. If someone says that a person's life has value, why does that mean they automatically hate police officers or adhere to some philosophy they've never spoken about? Judgments like that show a complete lack of effort to care. It's lazy and wrong.

A few weeks ago, my friend Brandon attended his first peaceful protest in Tampa. He was moved by the stories of friends and other lives he saw not receiving the same equality he lives with, so he decided to make a public statement and go to a march. In this episode we talk about what he was saying by going, what he was not saying by going, and what he'd want others to know and consider, as well. 

I promise you, equality is not a divisive issue if you take the time to listen to the WHY behind what you're seeing. We can disagree on the best methods to correct it, but there should be no debate that there are injustices in our own country. 

I've loved stand up comedy since the first time I saw Sinbad perform on TV in the 90s. It's by no means a "safe space," but it is an open forum to the one who holds the mic. Comedians wield a power like no other kind of speaker, yet it comes at great cost, because there is really no in between with stand up comedy. It's either funny or it's not. It's laughter or it's dead air. But the risk is worth the reward. 

I've been wanting to talk to my friend Kyle Cromer about it for a while and I'm glad we finally did. Kyle lives in the D.C. area performs (before Covid) stand up comedy in various venues. This is one of those episodes that could have gone for hours because we both enjoy the topic so much. 

If you've ever wondered about how stand up comedy is crafted, what comedians are thinking after a set, and what it's like to bomb on stage in front of strangers, this one is for you. 

You can check out Kyle's stuff on Twitter/Instagram @CromerZome and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=5228818

The follow up to our first episode about the President. We discuss the current Presidency. Have you ever thought about what executive orders are and how they should be used? Is a President ever as awful or as great as news outlets say they are? How do we look at their power and role objectively? That's the gist of this one.  Back with Aaron Walsh.  Instagram: @AaronThomasWalsh 

Every day, social workers in our country hear some of the most heartbreaking and enraging stories from real people living really hard lives. I think most of us would say it's satisfying to watch someone who broke the law receive a proper sentence. We instinctively long for justice. Yet without denying justice, we cannot also deny one's humanity, though I believe that is easier said than done. My friend Jonathan Balcar has a heart for people who society has reached their conclusions about. He's able to see the humanity of a person who has made bad decisions, and he recogonizes that it may not be as simple as "bad people do bad things." There's a story behind the story. We discuss what this looks like and what they look like to him. I think we can all be inspired by this episode.

Oh and there's a hilarious bonus Balcar story at the end that has nothing to do with the episode but it's still important.

When it comes to church history, many Christians can tell you about the the book of Acts, the Protestant Reformation, and then maybe Billy Graham did something in the 1950s. "Didn't he start The 700 Club?" There's about 2,000 years of vibrant church history that often gets overlooked, and so much of where we are today as the Body of Christ is a result of the work that was done after the Apostles, from A.D. to B.N. (Before Netflix.) I talk with Linley Ali about just some of what happened and how it played out to where we are now. Get your notebooks ready. 

Sure, church planting sounds like it's just high-fiving friends and have BBQs, but did you know it's actually hard work? I spoke with lead pastor Derek Harmon about planting Ocean City Church in Jacksonville Beach, FL.  This was recorded quarantine.

Introduction to what this is. And no, Dinner Guest Rejects isn't ending!