The Firestone Files

In Season 2, Episode 8 of The Firestone Files, Dr. Chris Firestone talks with his wife, Elizabeth (Beth) Firestone, about her teaching career, their family's homeschooling years, choosing curriculum, supporting different learners, and deciding when to transition to public school. Beth shares lessons from raising and educating their children, along with her later work in children's ministry.The Firestone Files: Letters to My Grandchildren is a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Firestone. In it, Dr. Firestone uses his expertise in philosophy and worldview to bring answers to profound questions to bear on the mundane of life through personal anecdotes and family stories.Dr. Firestone is Vice President of Academic Excellence and Strategic Partnerships as well as Director of The Great Writings Honors Program at Champion Christian College in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, and former Director of the Humanities Division at Trinity College in Trinity International University, where he taught and conducted research for over twenty-five years.Facebook: The Firestone FilesYouTube: @FirestoneFilesSpotify: The Firestone FilesInstagram: @TheFirestoneFilesTwitter: @FirestoneFilesTikTok: @thefirestonefiles

Before he was Vice President for International Affairs at Champion Christian College, Dr. Vanedson Ximenes was a young Baptist pastor in Vila Velha, Brazil, who took his preaching out of the church and onto the beach. In this episode of The Firestone Files, Dr. Chris Firestone sits down with his friend and colleague to trace the road from the coast of Espírito Santo to Hot Springs, Arkansas.Dr. Ximenes tells the story of Jesus Vida Verão, the summer outreach he started in 1992 with a handful of people from his church. Today it is known as the largest beach gospel event in Brazil, drawing tens of thousands of people a night every January. He also talks about his years of pastoral ministry in Brazil, the move to the United States, and how he started the Dual Language program at Champion, which now serves hundreds of Portuguese-speaking students. The conversation closes with the two things underneath all of it: his family and his faith.The Firestone Files: Letters to My Grandchildren is a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Firestone. In it, Dr. Firestone uses his expertise in philosophy and worldview to bring answers to profound questions to bear on the mundane of life through personal anecdotes and family stories.Dr. Firestone is Vice President of Academic Excellence and Strategic Partnerships as well as Director of The Great Writings Honors Program at Champion Christian College in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, and former Director of the Humanities Division at Trinity College in Trinity International University, where he taught and conducted research for over twenty-five years.Facebook: The Firestone FilesYouTube: @FirestoneFilesSpotify: The Firestone FilesInstagram: @TheFirestoneFilesTwitter: @FirestoneFilesTikTok: @thefirestonefiles

Before he was "Monster" Michael Todd, world champion arm wrestler, he was a redneck kid growing up in Hot Springs, Arkansas. In this episode of The Firestone Files, Dr. Chris Firestone sits down with Michael to trace the road from his hometown to the top of the sport. Michael talks about his early years in Hot Springs, what first pulled him to the table, and what it took to climb to a world championship. He also shares why, after competing all over the world, he still calls Hot Springs home — and what he loves most about the city. The conversation closes with a look at the Hot Springs mayoral race and what is at stake for the city's future.The Firestone Files: Letters to My Grandchildren is a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Firestone. In it, Dr. Firestone uses his expertise in philosophy and worldview to bring answers to profound questions to bear on the mundane of life through personal anecdotes and family stories.Dr. Firestone is Vice President of Academic Excellence and Strategic Partnerships as well as Director of The Great Writings Honors Program at Champion Christian College in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, and former Director of the Humanities Division at Trinity College in Trinity International University, where he taught and conducted research for over twenty-five years.Facebook: The Firestone FilesYouTube: @FirestoneFilesSpotify: The Firestone FilesInstagram: @TheFirestoneFilesTwitter: @FirestoneFilesTikTok: @thefirestonefiles

In episode fifty-seven, Dr. Firestone welcomes Pastor Eric Capaci back for a second conversation about his background and his candidacy for mayor of Hot Springs, Arkansas. They discuss his years in ministry, education, and business, along with the experiences that led him to run for office again. Capaci shares his views on the mayor’s role, local development, transparency, and communication with residents.The Firestone Files: Letters to My Grandchildren is a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Firestone. In it, Dr. Firestone uses his expertise in philosophy and worldview to bring answers to profound questions to bear on the mundane of life through personal anecdotes and family stories.Dr. Firestone is Vice President of Academic Excellence and Strategic Partnerships as well as Director of The Great Writings Honors Program at Champion Christian College in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, and former Director of the Humanities Division at Trinity College in Trinity International University, where he taught and conducted research for over twenty-five years.Facebook: The Firestone FilesYouTube: @FirestoneFilesSpotify: The Firestone FilesInstagram: @TheFirestoneFilesTwitter: @FirestoneFilesTikTok: @thefirestonefiles

In episode fifty-six, Dr. Firestone welcomes longtime family friend Laurie to reflect on their lengthy, intergenerational friendship and the legacy of faith that shaped both families. They trace Chris's upbringing on Chicago's South Side, his early church experiences, and the pivotal mentorship of high school coach Larry Stillwell, who guided him toward a deeper commitment to Christ and influenced his decision to attend Trinity International University. The conversation explores how these formative relationships laid the groundwork for a lasting friendship in ministry and family life.The Firestone Files: Letters to My Grandchildren is a podcast hosted by Dr. Chris Firestone. In it, Dr. Firestone uses his expertise in philosophy and worldview to bring answers to profound questions to bear on the mundane of life through personal anecdotes and family stories.Dr. Firestone is Vice President of Academic Excellence and Strategic Partnerships as well as Director of The Great Writings Honors Program at Champion Christian College in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, and former Director of the Humanities Division at Trinity College in Trinity International University, where he taught and conducted research for over twenty-five years.Facebook: The Firestone FilesYouTube: @FirestoneFilesSpotify: The Firestone FilesInstagram: @TheFirestoneFilesTwitter: @FirestoneFilesTikTok: @thefirestonefiles