Persuasion Podcast

So here's a bit of news. Erin Straza and I will be hosting a new weekly podcast on the Christ and Pop Culture Podcast Network called Persuasion. In some ways, this is a departure for me--moving beyond the written word--but in another, it feels very natural. When I mentioned the opportunity to my husband, he asked, "So basically, they just want you to give your opinion about cultural and theological issues?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"Oh, you'll nail that. That's what you do all the time around here anyway."

The larger goal of Persuasion is to offer feminine insight on issues of culture, theology, and everyday minutia--without reducing it to a podcast about "women's issues." This is easier said than done, but it's something that Erin and I believe is worth pursuing.

The full name, Persuasion: Fine Ladies, Rational Minds, and the Best Kind of Company, comes from two Jane Austen quotes:

I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.

and

"My idea of good company...is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company." '"You are mistaken," said he gently, "that is not good company, that is the best.”

We're still getting our feet under us, but here's a clip from the first episode in which Erin and I talk about how it easy it is to define ourselves based on other peoples' lives. Erin works full-time and does not have children while I am a SAHM. We explore the temptation of each of us to define our work in terms of the marketplace and/or domesticity. What are the dangers when we try to live our lives by comparing ourselves to others? How can we avoid it?

[audio mp3="http://www.sometimesalight.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Persuasion-Episode-1-mp3cut.net_.mp3"][/audio]

The full podcast, including a discussion of what exactly we hope to accomplish on Persuasion and an interview with JR Vassar about his new book, Glory Hunger, is available here and on iTunes.