acu

Rusty Towell is a professor of engineering and physics, and the director of the NEXT Lab, at Abilene Christian University, which applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission last August for a construction permit that may allow it to build the first new research reactor of any kind in the U.S. in more than 30 years. In this episode, Towell walks us through the design of the molten salt reactor ACU wants to build, the hurdles it faces at the NRC, why the university may have an advantage in obtaining the enriched-uranium fuel it needs, and why, if the project succeeds, it could lead to commercial success in the small modular reactor market. (Recorded January 27, 2023.)

Sally Gary is founder and director of CenterPeace, a 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry dedicated to creating space for conversation about faith and sexuality. Growing up in Churches of Christ in the ‘60s & ‘70s, Sally has a great love for the spiritual heritage that first introduced her to Jesus and instilled in her a strong faith. But as a gay Christian, she knows firsthand the pain of wrestling with her own faith and sexuality, and how difficult it can be to stay connected to church, to Christianity, to God with no support from your faith community. This is what drives Sally’s passion for CenterPeace, the ministry she founded in 2006 to create a place of belonging for LGBTQ+ Christians, encouraging them to hold onto faith and stay connected to God.

For over 16 years, CenterPeace has been building community for sexual minorities, hosting online and in-person retreats and other resources for nurturing the faith of LGBTQ+ individuals. CenterPeace also hosts retreats for families of LGBTQ+ youth, and workshops for churches and schools, and other organizations to foster greater inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community. Since 2009, CenterPeace has hosted a national conference featuring keynote speakers such as Justin Lee and Matthew Vines. The conference has attracted thousands over the years – LGBTQ+ Christians, church leaders, parents, and allies – from across the globe, for the purpose of learning how to love and embrace the LGBTQ+ community in our midst and beyond.

This year’s CenterPeace Conference is in Dallas, Texas, at Wilshire Baptist – a fully open and affirming Baptist church – November 3 – 5. Jeff Chu of “Evolving Faith” is the featured keynote speaker, along with Justin and Matthew, Joel Hollier from Australia and Staci Frenes, singer/songwriter from Los Angeles. AND Rocky Roggio, director and creative genius behind the new film 1946, a documentary about mistranslation in Scripture.

Sally holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from Abilene Christian University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. A former high school speech and debate coach, trial lawyer and communication professor, Sally is a teacher at heart. Most of all, Sally is dedicated to serving queer youth, helping them know they are loved by God and that they always belong. Everywhere.

The author of Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality, and Staying in the Church, Sally currently resides in Dallas, Texas, with her wife, Karen, and their miniature dapple dachshund, Rudy.

For more information about CenterPeace, visit centerpeace.net and follow on social media:

Facebook – facebook.com/centerpeaceinc

Instagram - @centerpeaceinc

It's tough to balance the interests of public safety with the need for real criminal justice reform--and because politicians only want simple answers, the frequently get their solutions wrong, with devastating impact. Andrew and Jerry are joined by David Safavian, General Counsel for the American Conservative Union, for a deep-dive into just how to strike that balance--keeping communities safe while properly reforming a criminal justice system that is in dire need of change.

But they start with a discussion of the strange place free speech is in--from the unfolding Joe Rogan controversy to the attacks on recent AJSTW Guest Ilya Shapiro, circling back to their conversation with Eugene Volokh from last week and talking about Ira Glasser's appearance on Bill Maher's program, talking about the ACU policing the language of potential clients--instead of defending the principles of everyone's speech.

Then we're joined by criminal justice expert, David Safavian for a wide-ranging conversation about criminal justice reform and policing in America.  What needs to be done, why so many people get it wrong, and just what that means for America.  Plus, we get a preview of CPAC, happening in Orlando, FL later this month.  Andrew and Jerry share CPAC memories--and after David leaves, they talk about one of Jerry's favorite books and a movie Andrew is enjoying, "The Tender Bar".

Dr. Randy Brown of Ft. Worth, Texas is a man of conviction.  Blair sits down with Dr. Brown to explore what it means to seek the heart of God.

When God speaks, Dr. Brown acts.  Action is Randy's covenant and it has led to many adventures:  

• Re-imagining a California summer camp he worked with as a young man, Camp Opportunity, for economically challenged children, and bringing it to Texas.
• Starting a mentoring program for school-aged boys in the Como neighborhood of Fort Worth, "Dr. Brown's Mighty Men", 
• Creating a private school for marginalized children in Fort Worth, The Rivertree Academy.

Randy talks of how he learned to listen for God's instruction and, perhaps more importantly, made the commitment to act upon receiving direction with confidence that it will thrive if it is indeed from God.

If you have ever struggled to have a relationship with God and to know how to follow God's direction, Randy's story may provide some insight, but be prepared to act.

In this special episode, Rowan Williams, one of the world's most prominent Christians and former head of the Anglican communion, talks about overcoming political tribalism. This public lecture was recorded in Sydney recently at the Australian Catholic University.