Character Explorations

The abundance of contradictory and even misleading information about climate can lead to dismay and apathy on a grand scale. In this episode, Donovan Tann suggests that using our imaginations to create a new story about climate will allow us to get over the hump of despair and into collective action. Featuring Donovan E. Tann, Professor of English at the University of DubuqueInterviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director Emerita of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque The content in this episode comes from Donovan E. Tann’s article, "Beyond Inevitability: Telling Another Story about Climate," from Character and . . . Inevitability, volume 10 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

What does it mean to parent with integrity within a digital environment? In this episode, Jenn Supple discusses issues that parents should reflect on before posting about their children on social media, including concerns about disclosure, boundaries, identity, and authenticity.Featuring Jenn Supple, Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Dubuque Interviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque The content in this episode comes from Jenn Supple’s article, "Parents’ Growing Pains on Social Media: Modeling Authenticity," from Character and . . . Social Media, volume 1 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

Suspending our disbelief in reading scripture puts us in touch with the Author God. In this episode, Rev. Dr. Timothy Matthew Slemmons suggests that reading the Bible with an open mind and heart can be a transformative experience, revealing both God and ourselves to us in unexpected ways.  Featuring Timothy Matthew Slemmons, Professor of Homiletics and Worship at the University of Dubuque Theological SeminaryInterviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque The content in this episode comes from Timothy Matthew Slemmons’ article, "Co-Authoring Your Story in Light of God's Epic: Human Identity and the Divine Word," from Character and . . . Identity, volume 6 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

Today’s guest is Rev. Gregory Drumwright, public theologian, civil rights activist, and minister to George Floyd’s family during the Chauvin trial. Rev. Drumwright shares about his journey and purpose, and challenges us to cling to hope and God in the pursuit of justice.Featuring Rev. Gregory Drumwright, founder of Justice 4 the Next Generation and pastor to the Citadel Church in Greensboro, North CarolinaInterviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of DubuqueFollow Rev. Drumwright @gregdrumwright.Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

Today’s guests discuss the roles that the church and individuals play in bridging political divides. Featuring Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton, Founder and Executive Director of House United, with Rev. Dr. Beth McCaw, Associate Professor of Ministry at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

Playfulness can be serious business, Brian Hallstoos asserts in this episode, pointing to century-old publications from the University of Dubuque. By engaging in “playful play,” Black student Sol Butler made friends in the early 1900s and helped build a campus community that was less likely to express and tolerate anti-Black racism. Yet photographs and text also point to the limits of playfulness in combatting hate. Featuring Brian Hallstoos, Associate Professor of History at the University of DubuqueInterviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque The content in this episode comes from Brian Hallstoos’s article, "Defusing Racism: Olympian Sol Butler’s Serious Playfulness," from Character and . . . Play, volume 9 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

Contemporary scientific culture has evolved to focus on productivity, which often disincentivizes play. Yet, as Adam J. Kleinschmit discusses in this episode, play is a central element of curiosity-driven discovery science because it stimulates new ways of thinking and encourages the creative combination of ideas in novel ways. The external incentives that drive productivity culture can also adversely impact character virtues and lead scientists to compromise their integrity. Creating greater capacity to unleash the playful spirit of scientists has the potential to strengthen science as an institution and provide tangible benefits for greater societal good.Featuring Adam J. Kleinschmit, Associate Professor of Biology at the University of DubuqueInterviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque The content in this episode comes from Adam J. Kleinschmit’s article, "Transformative Discovery Science: Character and Play as Key Elements" from Character and . . . Play, volume 9 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

Flourishing as communities and individuals requires well-being in a variety of areas so that we thrive and grow toward our human potential. In this episode, Mary K. Bryant discusses how, if we engage with games in responsible and thoughtful ways, playing games can contribute significantly to our flourishing.Featuring Mary K. Bryant, Director of Media and Programming for the Wendt Center for Character Education at the University of DubuqueInterviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque The content in this episode comes from Mary K. Bryant’s article, "Gameplay and Human Flourishing," from Character and . . . Play, volume 9 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

Performance, at its best, is a gift of play and hospitality. In this episode, Prof. Kristen Eby discusses the various responsibilities of both performer and audience to ensure a hospitable space that encourages an optimal, communal artistic experience.Featuring Kristen Eby, Assistant Professor of Music at the University of DubuqueInterviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque The content in this episode comes from Kristen Eby’s article, "Performance, Play, and Hospitality" from Character and . . . Play, volume 9 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

Does your capacity to “pay attention” have anything to do with your moral character? What does studying for exams have to do with becoming a good person? In this episode, Dr. Adam Smith argues that these things are connected: paying attention is about getting comfortable with uncomfortable things, and this “comfort with discomfort” is a mark of good character.Featuring Adam Benjamin Smith, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of DubuqueInterviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque The content in this episode comes from Adam Benjamin Smith’s article, "Discomfort, Attention, and Character," from Character and . . . Discomfort, volume 5 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

When we serve the community, it is important to identify what is motivating us. Is it that we are trying to feel good about ourselves? Or to actually accomplish something good? In this episode, Rev. Dr. Beth McCaw considers society’s pursuit of comfort through the lens of service trips, and encourages re-centering so that we act out of love rather than self-affirmation. Paradoxically, when we are willing to get out of our comfort zone, then we are truly able to grow into who we are created to be. Featuring Beth Lindquist McCaw, Associate Professor of Ministry at the University of Dubuque Theological SeminaryInterviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque The content in this episode comes from Beth Lindquist McCaw’s article, "The Oxymoron of ‘My Comfort Zone’," from Character and . . . Discomfort, volume 5 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

The move to living more of our lives on our screens presents us with charitable opportunities online. Helping others through microfinance may make a positive impact, but sometimes aspects of online lending programs that are invisible to us negatively impact borrowers. In this episode, Dr. Franklin Yartey discusses the need for responsible lending and provides guidelines for lending intelligently and responsibly online. Featuring Franklin Yartey, Professor of Communication at the University of DubuqueInterviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque The content in this episode comes from Franklin Yartey’s article, "Screen Lending through Microfinance: the Fearless Integrity of Helping Others," from Character and . . . Screen Life, volume 3 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

American’s daily interactions increasingly happen online. Many of the services we use are available for free, but the convenience of using them often comes with a cost we don’t fully appreciate. In this episode, Sarah Slaughter examines concerns about data collection and suggests strategies for managing privacy online in ways that reflect integrity and good character. Featuring Sarah Slaughter, Reference and Instruction Librarian at the University of DubuqueInterviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque The content in this episode comes from Sarah Slaughter’s article, "Character and Privacy: The Cost of Convenience," from Character and . . . Screen Life, volume 3 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

One of the first augmented reality apps to take off with the general public in 2016, Pokémon Go continues to entertain its loyal fans—and both the benefits and concerns over health and safety remain relevant. In this episode, Rafic Sinno considers the moral responsibilities of both game consumers and designers to work against the addictive aspects of such technologies. Featuring Rafic Sinno, Associate Professor of Business at the University of DubuqueInterviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque The content in this episode comes from Rafic Sinno’s article, "Navigating a Pokémon Go World," from Character and . . . Screen Life, volume 3 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.

Humans enjoy stories, so it is not surprising that binge-watching shows has grown into a common pastime. Media marathoners breeze through entire seasons in under a week, use stories to work through issues vicariously, and often form communities around new series. But binge-watching can also lead to lost time living our own stories and developing our character. In this episode, Rev. Dr. Susan Forshey explores binge-watching, its positive and negative effects, and offers suggestions for balancing life and watching habits. Featuring Susan L. Forshey, Associate Professor of Christian Discipleship at the University of Dubuque Theological SeminaryInterviewer, Annalee R. Ward, Director of the Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque The content in this episode comes from Susan Forshey’s article, "Consuming Stories Not Our Own: On #Showholes and Character in the Age of Binge-Watching," from Character and . . . Screen Life, volume 3 of the Wendt Center for Character Education’s annual journal, Character and . . . . Find other character resources and Wendt Center publications here or learn more about the Wendt Character Initiative here.