Give and Take

Mike Boyle has spent more than four decades helping athletes—from Olympic competitors to everyday people—move better, perform better, and stay healthy. Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of functional strength training, he's never been afraid to challenge conventional wisdom or rethink his own ideas. In this episode of Give and Take, Scott Jones sits down with Mike to explore what strength is really for. Their conversation ranges from the evolution of fitness and coaching to aging well, injury prevention, intellectual humility, and why changing your mind may be one of the most important skills any coach—or any person—can develop. Whether you're an athlete, a weekend warrior, or simply someone who wants to live a healthier, more capable life, this conversation offers practical wisdom and a fresh perspective on what it means to grow stronger. In this episode: How Mike Boyle's philosophy of training has evolved Why functional strength matters at every age The role of humility in coaching and lifelong learning Common fitness myths that refuse to die What movement can teach us about resilience and living well If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about health, performance, and the ideas that shape our lives, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend.Special Guest: Mike Boyle.

What does genuine political emancipation look like in a world defined by contradiction? And what can Hegel still teach us about freedom, revolution, and the possibility of social transformation? In this episode of Give and Take, Scott Jones sits down with philosopher Todd McGowan to discuss his provocative new book, Emancipation After Hegel: Achieving a Contradictory Revolution. Together they explore Hegel's revolutionary understanding of contradiction, why freedom isn't the absence of limits but our relationship to them, and how embracing contradiction can open new possibilities for political action. Along the way, Scott and Todd discuss the failures of contemporary politics, the allure of utopian thinking, the importance of negativity, and why attempts to escape contradiction often leave us less free than before. They also consider what a truly emancipatory politics might require in an age marked by polarization, disillusionment, and uncertainty. Whether you're a longtime reader of Hegel or simply curious about philosophy's relevance to today's political landscape, this conversation offers a rich and engaging exploration of one of the most influential—and misunderstood—thinkers in the Western tradition.Special Guest: Todd McGowan.

What does it mean to be a self in an age that won’t let you stay the same? In this episode of Give and Take, Scott Jones talks with Patricia Martin about her new book Will the Future Like You?—a probing exploration of identity in a world defined by constant disruption. As technology accelerates and the pressure to adapt intensifies, Martin argues that we’ve entered an era of “hyper-reinvention,” where stability is elusive and the self can begin to feel more like a project than a reality. Together, Scott and Patricia explore the psychological and cultural costs of this new landscape: the anxiety of endless self-optimization, the erosion of rootedness, and the quiet fear that we’re always one step behind who we’re supposed to become. But they also ask whether there’s another way—one that resists the demand to endlessly reinvent and instead recovers a deeper, more grounded sense of identity. This is a thoughtful, timely conversation about who we are, who we’re becoming, and whether the future is something we shape—or something that reshapes us.Special Guest: Patricia Martin .

On this episode of Give and Take, Scott Jones talks with David Fitch of Northern Seminary about the fallout of the Protestant Reformation—and why it might be time to reform the Reformers. Five centuries after 1517, Protestants still celebrate courage, conscience, and clarity. But what if the Reformation also unleashed forces it couldn’t control? Fragmentation. Hyper-individualism. A faith untethered from embodied community. A church shaped more by modern politics than by the crucified Christ. From a neo-Anabaptist perspective, Fitch argues that some of the Reformers’ necessary protests hardened into new distortions—reshaping authority, redefining the church, and quietly baptizing the spirit of modernity. Scott and Dave wrestle with what was gained, what was lost, and whether Protestantism can recover a thicker, more communal, more faithful witness in a polarized age.​Special Guest: David Fitch.

On this episode of Give and Take, recorded on Mardi Gras, 2026, Scott Jones talks with Philly fitness and wellness coach Lindsay Lombardi about fasting, feasting, and metabolic flexibility. What actually happens in your body when you indulge? Is fasting a powerful tool—or just another trend? And how do you enjoy the feast without wrecking your progress? This is a conversation about discipline without deprivation, performance without obsession, and building a body—and a life—that can handle both celebration and restraint. Feast smart. Fast wisely. Live strong.Special Guest: Lindsay Lombardi.