Special Episode: Sado and Shalom

We're back with my friend Rei to discuss Demon Slayer (again)!

The most recent season was jam-packed, full of new characters and new troubles. But we were most surprised by the discussions that season 3 stirred up. Rei and Brittany get deep with some hard-hitting topics: female expectations in media, addressing disability and the treatment of disabled people, and defining clinical trauma and its characteristics. Plus, have we found a new Jesus-archetype in Demon Slayer?

**Spoiler Warning**

Rei and I are very explicit on the storyline, characters, and details of Season 3.
If you have not yet seen Season 3 of Demon Slayer/Kimetsu no Yaiba (Swordsmith Village Arc) and DON'T want to be spoiled, skip this episode and give it a listen after you've seen Season 3.

Otherwise, please enjoy!

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Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay.

Music by Jiwon (Musician) Nahee (Graphic Designer) from Pixabay.

In this episode, Brittany shares a little bit about what’s going on in her life this summer. Her church has been hosting two college interns, and extreme heat has overtaken the Kansai area. Plus, after 3.5 years, Brittany finally caught COVID-19. Being sick at home for a week gave her a lot of time to think, especially about Sabbath rest. Take a listen to find out some of the reasons why keeping the Sabbath is so important (for Christians and non-Christians alike).

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Show Notes and References:

Mentioned Book --> Spiritual Disciplines Handbook (Adele Ahlberg Calhoun)

Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi and Jiwon (Musician) Nahee (Graphic Designer) from Pixabay.

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Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay.

Music by Jiwon (Musician) Nahee (Graphic Designer) from Pixabay.

In this episode, Brittany discusses the recent boom in AI generators. She shares her perspective on the pros and cons of AI generators from the perspective of a writer and content creator, walks through some of the legal and ethical questions surrounding AI-generated content, and addresses the ultimate question: will AI take over the world? Looking at the biblical concepts of God and creation in Genesis 1 and 2, Brittany makes her case for humanity over AI.

Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi and  Jiwon (Musician) Nahee (Graphic Designer) from Pixabay.

Show Notes and References:

Links:
OpenAI
Introducing ChatGPT (openai.com)
Pros and Cons of AI-Generated Content | TechTarget
AI Generated Art Is A Copyright, Ethical And Working Dystopia (kotaku.com)
New AI classifier for indicating AI-written text (openai.com)

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Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay.

Music by Jiwon (Musician) Nahee (Graphic Designer) from Pixabay.

In this episode, Brittany tackles a rather serious topic this time around: Putin and the war between Russia and Ukraine. Putin’s actions are a mystery to many of her English students, prompting them to ask, “Is Putin really a Christian?” Putin seems to have strong support from the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, so what does that mean for the Church? Is this invasion of Ukraine and the commencing war okay with Christians? After some research, Brittany attempts to address these questions through her own understanding of the Bible, Jesus, and Christianity.

Music by Lesfm from Pixabay.

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Show Notes and References:

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“Why is Russia’s church backing Putin’s war? Church-state history gives a clue” (The Conversation)

“Why Did God Command the Invasion of Canaan in the Book of Joshua?” (The BibleProject)

“Russian Orthodox Church cuts ties with Constantinople” (The Guardian)

“Russian Orthodox church in Amsterdam announces split with Moscow” (The Guardian)

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Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay.

Music by Jiwon (Musician) Nahee (Graphic Designer) from Pixabay.

In this special bonus episode, Brittany shares one of the many messages she has given as a missionary. In July, Brittany had the privilege of speaking at a tea ceremony event (sado or chado in Japanese) held by her church in Japan. After studying the Zen Buddhist roots of Japanese tea ceremony, she considers the main principles of sado with a Christian, biblical perspective. And that led her to the concept of shalom, or “peace” in Hebrew. 

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Show Notes and References:

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Books and Resources on Japanese Tea Ceremony:

• Zen and the Art of Tea by D.T. Suzuki (audiobook) --> View on Amazon for Audible
• The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura (book) --> View on Amazon
• The Omotesenke Tea Culture (website)
• “4 Principles of Chado” (Zen Wonders) (website)
• “An Introduction to Chado” (Urasenke Konnichian) (website)

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Music by Lesfm from Pixabay.

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Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay.

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In this episode, Brittany takes on the topic of bilingualism, addressing some of the benefits and difficulties of being bilingual. What’s the difference between translation and interpretation? How could God use bilingualism for His kingdom purposes? Brittany tackles these questions,  throwing in a few anecdotes about her own experience being bilingual in English and Japanese. 

Show Notes and References:

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Walter Benjamin, "The Task of the Translator" --> translation theory

• View on webpage
• View as PDF

Music by Lesfm from Pixabay.

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Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay.

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In this episode, Brittany shares her experience pounding out mochi (glutinous rice), and discusses the influence of food in bringing people together. She also delves into the role of food in the Bible and its deep connection to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Show Notes and References:

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Nakatanidou → mochi shop in Nara City, Nara, Japan

Interview with Kendall Vanderslice → “The Gospel Is a Story of Meals” (John Hawbaker)

We Will Feast: Rethinking Dinner, Worship, and the Community of God (Kendall Vanderslice) --> View on Amazon 

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Music by Lesfm from Pixabay.

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Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay.

Music by Jiwon (Musician) Nahee (Graphic Designer) from Pixabay.

March is Women's History Month, and with International Women's Day having just passed, it's the perfect time to celebrate WOMEN and their contributions to the world.

Brittany investigates the history of Women's History Month and International Women's Day, spotlighting some famous women in U.S. history, as well as recent times globally. She also spotlights several women that she looks up to (though the list is by no means comprehensive).

Let's take this opportunity to remember all the amazing work and accomplishments done by women throughout history, and to appreciate and support the women in our lives today.

Show Notes and References:

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The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr --> View on Amazon
History of Women's History Month --> womenshistorymonth.gov
International Women's Day --> internationalwomensday.com
#BreakTheBias

Spotlighted Women:

• Kaitlyn Schiess (seminary student)
• Leah Boyd (seminary student)
• Madoka and Yukari (pastors)
• Cassey Ho (entrepreneur)
• Victoria Garrick (mental health advocate)
• Simone Biles (Olympic gymnast, USA)
• Sunisa Lee (Olympic gymnast, USA)
• Miho Nonaka (Olympic sport climber, Japan)
• Akiyo Noguchi (Olympic sport climber, Japan)
• Phoebe, Junia, Priscilla/Prisca, Deborah, Hannah, Mary Magdalene, Mary and Martha of Bethany, the woman at the well (women of the Bible)

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Music by Lesfm from Pixabay.

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Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay.

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We're getting a little nerdy today. Let's talk anime.

The ever-popular anime, Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer, in English) just finished season two a few weeks ago. As an avid anime fan, Brittany is joined by her friend, roommate, and fellow missionary Rei to discuss their impressions of Kimetsu no Yaiba. Demons vs. ogres, the problem of sin and humanity, and Tanjiro as a Jesus-archetype? (Plus a little bilingual fun!)

Show Notes:

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Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats (Bolivia) --> Learn More

Music by Lesfm from Pixabay.

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Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay.

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It seems like everyone is playing Wordle these days. Why is it so popular? Brittany takes a look at how Wordle provided a sense of community for thousands around the world--something that many have been lacking since the pandemic started. Brittany also discusses why community is so important for people, as well as how the Christian community (i.e., the Church) is supposed to function as the ultimate, transcendent community through Jesus.

Show Notes:

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Bible Verses:
・Romans 12:5
・1 Corinthians 12:26
・Leviticus 25:4 (Give the land rest every 7 years)
・Ephesians 1:5 (We are adopted as God's children)

Articles:

"Temperance and Play: The Weird and Wonderful World of Wordle" (K.B. Hoyle)

"Young adults hardest hit by loneliness during pandemic" (Colleen Walsh, The Harvard Gazette)

Music by Lesfm from Pixabay.

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Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay.

Music by Jiwon (Musician) Nahee (Graphic Designer) from Pixabay.