Josh and Ian are back together and bring the deep conversation as well as the laughter along with it. They recap on some of the Charlie Kirk reflections, memorial highlights, as well as the difficulty of forgiving someone of such a heinous crime against one of your loved ones. The humor comes later when they marvel at the eruption of Tylenol talk around the country - either those indulging in it to prove a point or those who are skeptical of its connection to autism. We hope you enjoy the range of conversation and perspective. Beers: Floral Budget Chef’s Kiss Wild Ale by Oude Northwest Four Seasons Cocktail Inspired Imperial Stout by Mother Earth Brew
Special guest Grant Weinberg (from “The Doctor’s In” channel on YT) joins the show to talk about the many hats he wears - husband, father, teacher and professor, to name a few. The discussion starts with the reactions to Charlie Kirk’s passing, more than a week afterwards, and then leads to a discussion about Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” and why it is an important little book. Beer: Talking Teeth Coffee Stout by Bizarre Brewing and Outer Dark Coffee Co
In the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, we discuss the need for Christians to be bold, to care more about the whole of life and why we need more people like Charlie. We might open with some light-hearted talk as we settle back into the “studio” but we eventually settle into the meat of our episode and we hope you enjoy. Beer: Red Mason Rye Amber Rye Ale by Watts Brewing Company Triple Dank Shark Triple IPA by Great Notion and Alvarado Street Brewery
Our HUNDREDTH episode has finally come! We enjoy doing the podcast and thankful for our listeners. As the new school year approaches and summer winds down, we reconsider a consistent subject of being a present father and tuning into each individual kid. Also, we can’t stop marveling at a good brew - the things that can come from water, hops, grain and yeast! Enjoy. Beer: Sour from Larrabee Lager Co 2025 3-Way IPA Hazy from Fort George and Friends What So Proudly We Prrrt by Drekker Brewing
The 4th of July should be about GRATITUDE. We’ve been adopted into an amazing heritage of those who have come before and secured many of the freedoms we now enjoy. But how did we get so soft as a country? In what ways are we trampling on the gift we’ve been given? ALSO, we have a Lager-Off in the midst of this conversation where we compare some of the more common lagers with some of the best, most available craft lagers. ENJOY! Beers: Rainier Beer by Rainier Brewing Company Lager by Pfriem Brewing Cold IPA by Larrabee Lager Co Premium Lager by Heidelberg Beer Kirkland Signature Lager by Deschutes Brewery
Inspired by Ian’s “new” 1971 Ford F-250, we go off on the benefit of things that are old and still work - both in terms of physical things and ideas. It’s important to remind our children of where they came from. Also, we talk of Josh’s recent experiences relocating a swarm of bees into a new hive. Beer: Even More Biscotti by Evil Twin Brewing Breakfast at Wiley’s Dutch Cocoa Vanilla Coffee by Wiley Roots Brewing Company
Is the necessity of people “chipping in” in a variety of things, unique to small organizations or is it tapping into a God-given feature? In other words, should Christians have a variety of interests and thus always be seeing new ways to contribute? We also get into some hot ECOLOGY talk. Tune in for this and more! Beer: Munchies Imperial Garbage Stout by Great Notion Brewing
Is the faith you proclaim coming through your fingertips? What you actually believe shows up in what you DO. So how are those things matching up? Can you see who you are in the story you’re in? Are you checking in with those around you to make sure your perception of you matches what other people are seeing? On another topic, what makes about a customer service business attracts business besides a good product? Why do some restaurants or breweries feel welcoming while others are sterile and uninviting? We tackle these questions AND MORE in Episode 96. Beer: 3-Way IPA by Fort George Brewery, Mirage Brewing, and Sunriver Brewing Sesame Chili Cream Stout by Lucky Envelope, Ladd & Lass and Halcyon Brewing Companies
We start off this week by talking about the various kinds of Pilsners that we’ve had and which ones we are sampling today. If you’re not here for the beer talk, skip ahead a little. We then talk about some of the stuff going on the gun legislation side of things and some hope of suppressors being dropped from the NFA list. Finally, the meat of our discussion involves the importance of obeying your parents - when still in their house - and then continuing to honor them in your grown-up years. Enjoy! Brews: Denim Tux by Bow and Arrow Brewing STS Pils by Russian River Brewing Pilsner by Pfriem Brewing
We start by entertaining why the Muslim culture is taking over so many soft, pluralistic societies around the world. Also, what’s with the Tariff War? Is it actually hurting the Chinese economy? What about the recent push to take suppressors off the NFA list - is it Democrats or Republicans primarily hindering that effort? So we talk politics, theology, and we should be DOING in light of all of it - as is our habit. Beers: Black Forest Cake Stout by Zoiglhaus Brewing Company Peanut Brother Stout by Great Notion Brewing
In this episode we talk a lot about raising girls to be capable, gritty women - not damsels that need to be wrapped in bubble wrap. We are pretty young in the parenting game but we talk about what we’ve learned so far, what we can do better and ultimately the vision of what we are aiming for with our future generations. Come along for the various rabbit trails that always ensue. Drinks Cherry Beer by Russian River Brewing Emerge Barrel-Aged Stout by Claim 52 Brewing
The long-awaited Sean Higgins has finally joined the Contraratics Podcast after years of us teasing the idea, it all came together. We talk about everything from the theology of consuming alcohol to why bother to make Marysville great and how Evangel Classical School might fit into that strategy. The scope is broad but there’s depth as well - as you might notice - this is a longer-than-usual episode and it’s worth it! Enjoy! Dram Redbreast 12 year Irish Whiskey Glenfiddich Single Barrel Scotch
We record “offsite” on this episode during Spring Break - which applies to both us (as teachers) and our children. We dive into a little bit of Mein Kampf and why people are so afraid of it. Is it healthy to read writings of such hateful and truly evil people such as Hitler? Also we remind one another of the value of story-telling - both reading good stories and telling true and fictional stories to our children. Drinks: Nightfell Barrel-aged Stout by Skookum Brewery a Russian Vodka (?)
We get the distinct privilege of interviewing a friend and local entrepreneur who is endeavoring to opening a “direct primary care” (or DPC) clinic. This was a very insightful interview into the mess of the current healthcare system and all the impediments to actually serving the patients well. It’s exactly this sort of thing that Marysville and its residents need and we are excited to help spread the news! Dram: Redbreast 12 year Irish Whiskey Glenfiddich Single Barrel Scotch
This week we tackle an oft-repeated theme of repentance, this time with the specific with the aim of building sturdy kids. If they hear from our mouths one thing but we are showing them another, don’t be surprised when they follow your example. Also a reminder that the internet is fake and gay - test everything (1 Thess. 5:21 & Not the Bee). Enjoy! Brews “I Assure You We Make Stouts” - collab between Fidens and Timber Brewing Co’s Double Chocolate Stout by Rogue Brewing
This episode starts out the gate with returning to the subject of food and how we as Christians should care in the right ways. How do you maintain fellowship while having distinct thoughts on what is actually GOOD for you and your family? We also hit on the ninth circuit judge who recently made a video talking about why the second amendment should protect all the parts of a firearm, not just some. Brews: Dead n’ Dead Guy Ale (Barrell-aged Dead Guy Ale) by Rogue Brewing Duchesse de Bourgogne (Brown/Red Sour Ale) by Verhaeghe Brewery
We start by talking about how confusing transgender “news stories” can be. After that point of debasement and hilarity, we discuss how to move a group of people, like a family, all in the same direction, pursuing a united goal. Is there a difference between a culture-shaper and culture-maker? ALSO, why homeschool or why NOT? Brews MellowWood Doppelbock (Oak-aged German-style Lager) by Urban Roots Brewing Big Bad Baptist Salted Maple Barrel-Aged Stout by Epic Brewing
Is extraterrestrial life tenable? Are spiritual forces real? Can Christians do media excellently? Can AI get saved? Is there a spiritual “hack” around having to repent all the time? In no particular order of logical progression or importance, these are but a few of the questions we tackle in today’s episode. Also, feel free to check out the video version of this episode over on YouTube if that's your thing. Brews Even More Jesus by Evil Twin Brewing 'Roll Me One of Those Cowboy' Imperial Stout by Fat Orange Cat Brewing
After an interview with Evangel Classical’s Headmaster, Jonathan Sarr in the last episode, the Contraratics hop back on the podcast horse and dive into the outrage over Elon Musk’s D.O.G.E. department. Of course, the typical rabbit trails are taken and do not disappoint (but if they do, we don’t claim responsibility). Ha! Beers IMPERIAL DOUGHNUT BREAK by Evil Twin Brewing SPEEDWAY STOUT: GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE EDITION by Alesmith Brewing Company
Apparently this episode never got posted from the week after Trump’s second inauguration on 1/20/25. Don't want you to miss these gold nuggets! Ha. We give our unscripted reactions to how his first week was going from our perspective and how the country seems to be responding. Beers Soda Jerk Cream Ale by Skookum Brewery Barrel Aged Black Barley Wine Ex Novo Brewing