Frank Schaeffer talks with Tufts University Catholic Chaplain Lynn A. Cooper, author of Embracing Our Time: The Sacrament of Interfaith Friendship, about building real connection across difference in an era of polarization and loneliness. They explore the Interfaith Student Council model, how trauma reshapes a life, the pressure-cooker reality of campus faith after Hamas’ attack and amid Christian nationalism, and why “deprivatizing friendship” might be one of the most radical moves left.&nbs...
What happens when the architect of a war knows—deep down—that it cannot be won? In this episode of In Conversation with Frank Schaeffer, I speak with William Taubman and Philip Taubman about their new book, McNamara at War: A New History, which is our December “It Has to Be Read” selection. William Taubman is a Pulitzer Prize–winning historian. Philip Taubman is a longtime journalist and former New York Times Washington bureau chief and associate editor. Together, they’ve gone back through di...
Landscape designer Steve Griggs joins Frank Schaeffer for a raw, funny, deeply human conversation about rising from a working-class New York childhood to becoming one of America’s premier landscape artists — featured in Forbes, WSJ, HuffPost and Bravo’s Backyard Envy. Steve reveals the truth about designing for the ultra-wealthy, why taste beats money every time, how stonework builds character, what 40 years in the dirt taught him, and why water + fire belong in every garden — from mega-estat...
Frank Schaeffer talks with bestselling author and theologian Diana Butler Bass about Advent, spiritual resilience, and her new book A Beautiful Year. In this powerful conversation, they explore the meaning of “fear not” in a time of political turmoil, the role of the Christian liturgical calendar in daily life, and how ancient spiritual practices help us navigate modern anxiety, grief, and uncertainty. Diana reflects on the raw beauty of the Christmas story, the humanity of Mary, and why ligh...
Neurologist Dr. Carolyn Larkin Taylor, MD joins Frank Schaeffer to talk about her powerful new memoir Whispers of the Mind — a life in neurology, grief, intuition, near-death stories, medical gaslighting, and one extraordinary golden retriever named Prancer who became a four-legged healer in the clinic. _____ LINKS https://www.carolynlarkintaylorauthor.com/ Whispers of the Mind: A Neurologist's Memoir https://bookshop.org/a/99692/9781647429362 _____ Across three decades of practice, Dr. Taylo...
What happens when a former evangelical-turned-atheist-who-prays sits down with a Catholic engineer–philosopher who nearly became a priest… and then founded a medical device company… and then wrote a book arguing that logic, science, and divinity aren’t enemies but dance partners? Frank Schaeffer speaks with Brian Cranley, author of The Call of Wonder: How the God of Reason Created Science in His Image, about the Big Bang, Aquinas, Plato, Aristotle, cosmology, consciousness, mystery, logic, fa...
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Karen Elliott House joins Frank Schaeffer to talk about her remarkable new book, The Man Who Would Be King, Muhammad bin Salman and the Transformation of Saudi Arabia. Across four decades of reporting on the Middle East and Saudi Arabia, Karen has developed rare access to the kingdom’s inner world — including seven in-depth meetings with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MBS), often late at night inside the palace. In this conversation, Frank and Karen dive i...
Engineer and author Barbara Oakley joins Frank Schaeffer to explore how censorship damages the brain, why education is broken, and how real thinking can save democracy. _____ https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn https://www.lovechildrenplanet.com/events/barbara-oakley-how-free-speech-amp-cognitive-flexibility-save-democracy _____ I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, activists, and change-makers of our time on this podcast, and I want to p...
Unpacking The Gospel with Christian Smith, PhD Frank Schaeffer joins sociologist Christian Smith, PhD, author of "Why Religion Went Obsolete" and "Moral Believing Animals", for a deep conversation about Frank’s new book, "The Gospel of Zip." Together they explore the book’s central themes: how dogs teach us humility, forgiveness, and connection; what Frank calls the “survival of the friendliest”; and how love, caregiving, and beauty offer a countercultural answer to division and loneliness....
Why am I giving my book away for free? I’ve been a writer my whole life, but this book—The Gospel of Zip—is different. It’s about my dog, Zip. It’s about my fifty-six-year relationship with my wife, Genie. It’s about what I’ve learned really matters: love, caregiving, family, friendship. In a world that feels more divided than ever, I wanted to offer something honest and healing. That’s why I’m not just selling this book. I’m giving it away for free. For the last seven years, I’ve poured my...
Dr. Clint Heacock spent decades pursuing the “victorious Christian life” promised by Bill Gothard and conservative Christianity. Instead, he witnessed spiritual control, family harm, and the failure of authoritarian religion. In this conversation, Clint shares: Growing up in Gothard-influenced ChristianityHis journey through Bible college, ministry, and a Ph.D. in theologyWhy he left the faith he once devoted his life toHow he now studies cult dynamics & religious extremismWhat healthy co...
Sam Daley-Harris has spent more than four decades proving that ordinary citizens can make extraordinary change. He founded the anti-poverty lobby RESULTS, co-founded the Microcredit Summit Campaign with Muhammad Yunus, and leads Civic Courage to empower citizen advocacy around the world. In this conversation, we talk about reclaiming democracy, building political will, and why real change starts with you. LINKS https://bookshop.org/a/99692/9781953943385 https://www.lovechildrenplanet.com/even...
Author and researcher Dr. Jean M. Twenge joins Frank Schaeffer to talk about the crisis of parenting in a high-tech world. With over 190 scientific publications and her groundbreaking new book 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World, Dr. Twenge offers clear, practical strategies for reclaiming childhood from smartphones, social media, and gaming. _____ LINKS https://www.generationtechblog.com/ https://www.jeantwenge.com https://www.lovechildrenplanet.com/events/it-has-to-be-read-10-rul...
Frank Schaeffer In Conversation with Marc J. Dunkelman, exploring his work and the themes of his book, “Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress—and How to Bring It Back” _____ LINKS https://watson.brown.edu/people/visiting/dunkelman https://www.lovechildrenplanet.com/events/it-has-to-be-read-why-nothing-works-by-marc-j-dunkelman _____ I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, activists, and change-makers of our time on this podcast, and I want to pers...
Frank Schaeffer In Conversation with Sally McQuillen, exploring her work and the themes of her book, Reaching for Beautiful: A Memoir of Loving and Losing a Wild Child. _____ LINKS https://www.sallymcquillen.com/ https://www.lovechildrenplanet.com/events/in-conversation-with-frank-schaeffer-sally-mcquillen _____ I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, activists, and change-makers of our time on this podcast, and I want to personally thank you for subscribin...
Frank Schaeffer In Conversation with Jessa Crispin, exploring her work and the themes of her book, What Is Wrong With Men. _____ LINKS https://www.jessacrispin.com https://substack.com/@theculturewedeserve _____ I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, activists, and change-makers of our time on this podcast, and I want to personally thank you for subscribing, listening, and sharing 100-plus episodes over 100,000 times. Please subscribe to this Podcast, In...
Frank Schaeffer In Conversation with Christian Smith, exploring his work and the themes of his book, Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America. _____ LINKS https://christiansmith.nd.edu/ https://www.lovechildrenplanet.com/events/it-has-to-be-read-why-religion-went-obsolete-the-demise-of-traditional-faith-in-america-by-christian-smith _____ I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, activists, and change-makers of our time on this p...
Frank Schaeffer In Conversation with Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis and Dr. Charon Hribar, exploring their work and the themes of their book, We Pray Freedom: Liturgies and Rituals from the Freedom Church of the Poor. _____ LINKS https://kairoscenter.org/ https://www.lovechildrenplanet.com/events/it-has-to-be-read-we-pray-freedom-by-rev-dr-liz-theoharis-and-dr-charon-hribar https://bookshop.org/a/99692/9798889830344 _____ I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, a...
Frank Schaeffer In Conversation with Pamela Jones, exploring her life and the themes of her book, The Dirt Beneath Our Door. _____ LINKS https://www.pamelaspeaks.live/ _____ I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, activists, and change-makers of our time on this podcast, and I want to personally thank you for subscribing, listening, and sharing 100-plus episodes over 100,000 times. Please subscribe to this Podcast, In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer, on ...
Frank Schaeffer In Conversation with Geoffrey Kabaservice, exploring his work and the themes of his book, Rule and Ruin: The Downfall of Moderation and The Destruction of The Republican Party, From Eisenhower to The Tea Party. _____ https://www.niskanencenter.org/ https://www.niskanencenter.org/author/geoffrey-kabaservice/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vital-center/id1554124916 https://www.lovechildrenplanet.com/events/it-has-to-be-read-rule-and-ruin-by-geoffrey-kabaservice _____ ...
Martha Keenan
I usually agree with you 💯, but I have to disagree when it comes to the rights of the mentally ill or people in general. As a mother I understand where you are coming from but ultimately it is their life.