Episodes
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In recent years, "manifesting" has gained significant traction in pop culture and social media. It is the idea of willing the universe to bring into being our desires, in the sense of already possessing them in the act of wishing. As this rides on many interesting ideas and has a lot to say about our current cultural moment, Oliver and Ante have decided to discuss the issue to wrap their minds around it somewhat. What is this phenomenon about? Why is it so popular at this time? Should we understand it psychologically or sociologically? Does it contain some kernel of truth? What are its darker aspects? How is it related to anxiety and narcissism? What are some of its religious permutations, and what has the Bible to say about it?...
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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
In recent weeks, all across the country, students have received countless awards, recognitions, and trophies. That state of affairs prompted Ante and Oliver to examine the participation trophy phenomenon to probe the underlying forces that fuel it. For instance, what does it say about how we view parenting, psychological development, personal well-being, growth and resiliency, self-esteem, and motivation? To what extent is all that connected to shame and anxiety? What sociological and economic forces lurk in the background here? While, as usual, by their recognition, they bite more on what they can chew, they manage to crystallize some critical areas of concern beyond parenting and educational issues.
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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
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Continuing in the spirit of Kant's 300th anniversary, Oliver and Ante are taking another crack at this monumental thinker. This time, they focus more specifically on his moral thought, running with the contention, partially tongue in cheek, that a consistent application of his principles of morality might lead to a revival in Christian communities. Among others, they discuss Derek Parfit's reformulation of Kant's formula: "It is wrong to treat anyone in any way to which this person could not rationally consent." Whether that is indeed the supreme principle of morality is debatable. Still, one can imagine all kinds of life circumstances where following such a thought experiment would lead one to act in drastically different ways. They also tackle Kant's universalism, Omri Boehm's acclaimed book Radikaler Univesalismus, Kant's stress on individuality, his decontextualizing of Christian morality, and other topics.
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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
In light of the 300th anniversary of Immanuel Kant's birth, Ante and Oliver discuss his status as one of the most influential thinkers of the modern era. It is hard to fully capture all the ways in which he has influenced our culture. In a way, we are all Kantians to some degree, whether we know it or not. To that end, they explore his background, the context in which he worked, some troublesome aspects of his legacy, his groundbreaking essay "What is Enlightenment?", his stress on freedom and the importance of thinking for oneself, his take on religion, all peppered with some autobiographical asides.
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* * * * * NEW TO THE PODCAST?
In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
In this fascinating episode, Oliver and Ante discuss the importance of Eugen Drewermann, a leading 20th-century theologian, particularly his integration of exegesis and depth psychology. Using his ideas as a springboard, they explore insights that a psycho-existential reading of Exodus might bring to understanding various life experiences and key turning points.
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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
As mentioned in their previous episode, Oliver and Ante continue discussing the topic of trauma rooted in personal experience. They examine the rise of trauma literature, how it has impacted biblical studies and theology, and the new insights it has brought to the table. While such reflections are not new--people have forever struggled with suffering, loss, grief, tragedy, and meaning--trauma discourse, with its strong connection to embodied experience, undoubtedly offers an enriched perspective on these aspects of human existence.
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* * * * * NEW TO THE PODCAST?
In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
In another guest episode, Oliver and Ante connect with Steve Yeagley, the Assistant Vice President for Campus & Student Life at Andrews University, to discuss various aspects of trauma. After some introductory remarks, they discuss the definition of trauma, the state of current trauma literature, the meaning of inter-generational trauma, the problem of moral injury and its relationship to trauma, the origins and ill effects of cultural war rhetoric, and the need for healing spaces in worship.
EPISODE MATERIAL
Rambo, Resurrecting Wounds: Living in the Afterlife of Trauma
Van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
The main theme of this episode concerns the ubiquity of interpretation or hermeneutics. As Oliver and Ante stress in the beginning, there is no dimension of being in the world that does not have an interpretive dimension to it, ranging from ordinary acts of orientation and judgments on a daily basis to broader considerations about the meaning of texts, societal events, and life in general. In developing this topic, they consider some important thinkers that have shaped our understanding of these issues, including the towering figure of Hans Georg Gadamer. In the process of doing so, they consider the following questions: What is the relationship between philosophical and biblical hermeneutics? What factors orient us to perceive the world in a certain way? How do we navigate between theological interpretations that aim at closure and biblical texts that seem to have a surplus of meaning? Are there moral imperatives to consider the finality of texts in some circumstances?...
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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
This time around, Oliver and Ante take a slightly different track by tackling the theme of health and fitness, sharing some of the lessons learned concerning fasting, the psychology of fitness, exercise protocols, diet, and wholeness in general. While their sharing should not be taken as medical advice, they hope to share some insights and encouragement to people finding themselves on different stations in their health journey.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Peter Attia, Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity
Ratey and Hagerman, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain
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* * * * * NEW TO THE PODCAST?
In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
This guest episode features the psychiatrist Dr. Torben Bergland on the topic of fanaticism. What is fanaticism? How prevalent is it? What are the best angles to explore it? Is it a matter of cognitive closure or a type of psychopathology? If neither, then what is it? Could the concept be wielded as powerplay where others, simply by virtue of being different than us, get labeled so? How is it related to the post-truth phenomenon? Are there positive aspects of fanaticism? If by definition one is not aware of one's own fanatical tendencies, how can individuals ever become aware of those?... These are but some of the issues that Ante and Oliver probe with their guest.
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* * * * * NEW TO THE PODCAST?
In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
The story of Cain and Able has been explored through many angles, each adding to a rich history of interpretation of the narrative. In this episode, Oliver and Ante take a fresh look at it, trying to attend to the multiple meanings the text affords and how that, in turn, might offer some important life and spiritual lessons.
Episode theme: 06:20
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* * * * * NEW TO THE PODCAST?
In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
All in all, this is a debrief episode where Ante and Oliver look back at 2023, share some lessons learned, reflect on the nature of resolutions, and consider some of the promises and decisions for the coming year.
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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
Taking Ante's recently published chapter as their starting point, Oliver and Ante discuss some of the ways in which marriage, eschatology, and ethics intersect. In the process, they address a number of questions. What is the difference between philosophical (i.e., common sense), Christian, and eschatologically-centered approaches to marriage? What does each bring to the table? Why do we even need the language of eschatology in respect to marriage? What are some of its dangers? Could different conceptions of eschatology play an important role? And how, in turn, might they help couples work through difficult moments in their relationship?.... These and other questions are being discussed in the usual In Medias fashion.
IMR FUNDRAISER
GoFundMe
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Ante Jerončić, "Bond of Love in Holy Expectation" (Chapter)
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* * * * * NEW TO THE PODCAST?
In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
In this second part of a two-episode mini-series, the conversation turns to Oliver's approach to life and work, revisiting the reasons why he finds the notion of "productivity" unhelpful, only to discuss the role of passion, its relationship to (positive) suffering, the notion of play, the influence of exemplars in developing resilience and commitment to work, the idea of being gripped by passion rather than searching for it, the importance of serendipity (or providence) in it all, how collaboration and support of others is essential to growth, concluding with three concrete tools or practices that help him focus and stay on track.
IMR FUNDRAISER
GoFundMe
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Cal Newport, Deep Work
Ante Jerončić, "Bond of Love in Holy Expectation" (Chapter)
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* * * * * NEW TO THE PODCAST?
In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
In another "first" for the IMR podcast, Oliver and Ante sit down during the annual AAR/SBL meetings to debrief on the sessions they attended and the interactions that spoke to them. They delve into a range of topics, beginning with Daniël Muller's examination of the means-ends issue in Kant's philosophy. Discussions also include Sigve Tonstand's presentation on the Holocaust and the concept of evil, and they wrap up with a review of Oleg Kostyuk's paper, which focuses on the theme of endurance in Scripture."
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* * * * * NEW TO THE PODCAST?
In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
In this first of a two-episode mini-series, Oliver interrogates Ante's approach to organization, productivity, planning, values, and other aspects of mindful living. The discussion veers between basic convictions about life and more concrete questions of actual steps implemented on different time scales. While much more could have been covered, the discussion suggests some universally valid principles that people might be able to implement irrespective of their particular circumstances. Next time, it is Oliver's turn.
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* * * * * NEW TO THE PODCAST?
In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
In this inaugural live recording of the podcast, Ante and Oliver delve into the enduring cultural and spiritual significance of the Bible before a predominantly college-aged audience. Throughout the event, including the additional pre- and post-event debriefs, they highlight the intriguing aspect of the Bible's appeal to a range of secular audiences. They explore possible reasons for this phenomenon and corroborate it with autobiographical anecdotes. The conversation then transitions to viewing the Bible as a cultural artifact, pondering its metaphorical representation as a cathedral, and considering the symbolism inherent in that image. They discuss how the Bible, by depicting the flaws of its figures, stands as a unique document in the annals of human culture. The episode concludes with some thoughts on how the Bible can gain greater personal significance in our lives.
For those interested, check out the video of the live recording, which includes Q&A questions.
* * * * * NEW TO THE PODCAST?
In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
With great anticipation, Oliver and Ante connected with their friend and colleague Andrew Tompkins, Assistant Professor of Mission and Intercultural Theology at Andrews University, to discuss the fascinating topic of resonance. Taking the work of the German sociologist Hartmut Rosa as their starting point, they explore Rosa's critique of modernity and contemporary society, the focus on competition, control, and acceleration, the all-pervasiveness of instrumental reason, how these forces impact all levels of human interactions and institutions, including religious ones, what is lost in the process, the notion of alienation as the absence of meaningful relationships, the concept of resonance itself, whether it should be viewed as a something that happens to us or as a result of human intentionality, how our perceptions of God are themselves beholden to these cultural forces, and how a spirituality of resonance might be retrieved.
EPISODE QUOTE
"To an unhappy or, in extreme cases, depressive person, the world appears bleak, drab, hostile, and empty. Such a person at the same time experiences their own self as cold, rigid, dead, numb. The axes of resonance between self and world here lie mute. Does this not also imply, conversely, that a successful life is characterized by open, vibrating, breathing axes of resonance that fill the world with color and sound and allow the self to be moved, to be sensitive and rich?" (Rosa, Resonance, 9)
EPISODE MATERIAL
Rosa, Resonance
Rosa, The Uncontrollability of the World
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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
As announced, Ante and Oliver debrief their experience teaching a one-week intensive course to ministry practitioners and other interested people. After sharing some practical insights and lessons learned, they veer into discussing the relationship of belief and culture, how culture might be helpfully defined as "engagement with reality," how, accordingly, we have culture wherever we have reality, how attunement to culture so defined might help us understand why some beliefs and practices become irrelevant to people, how that is exemplified, among other, in the way people relate to the "sanctuary doctrine," the way that could be rectified, and how a rethinking of the creation narrative and the image of the garden could be great help in that regard.
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* * * * * NEW TO THE PODCAST?
In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the show title points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things" by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič -
After briefly discussing some questions of exercise and wellness, via Peter Attia's bestseller Outlive, Oliver and Ante shift their discussion to the question of knowing God's will, what it is, whether it is a pagan idea, how it tracks views of what it means to be human, whether it can be a form of superstition, whether there is something like God's "will" in the Bible, how we tend to turn God into an idol, what the dangers might lurk in "God told me so" convictions, whether we not are not seeking God's will enough, and how to make sense of biblical passages that promise deep intimacy with God.
EPISODE QUOTE
“Generally speaking we are in God's will whenever we are leading the kind of life he wants for us. And that leaves a lot of room for initiative on our part, which is essential: our individual initiatives are central to his will for us.”
― Dallas Willard, Hearing God
EPISODE MATERIAL
Waltke, Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion?
Willard, Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God
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In this podcast, we engage in free-ranging conversations on life, faith, philosophy, ethics, relationships, culture, experience, and all matters existential. As the title of the show points out, we approach these things "in the middle of things," that is, by grabbing hold of them unsystematically and provisionally. Concerning "about us," we are friends and verbal sparring partners who also happen to be colleagues at Andrews University. - Oliver Glanz and Ante Jerončič - Show more
