secretary pete

Ken and Betsey review her visit to Southern California, which included a visit to the high desert "Super Bloom" of poppies and spring color, an evening conversation around the topic "Reimagining the Church," and a tour of Ken Fong's beautiful Japanese garden. Joe Biden is an official candidate for the Democratic nomination for a second term as POTUS. Polls predict a rematch of the two aging politicians - Biden v. Tr**p - as "most likely"... but the majority of Americans don't want it. The annual Correspondents Dinner put Joe Biden in the spotlight. Noting his stellar performance, it led  Ken to the conclusion that "maybe he can do it." There's yet another firing at a high-profile evangelical college in the Mid-West over ANTI-WOKE/ANTI-CRT - Professor Julie Moore at Taylor University. Secretary Pete gets the credit for the theme of Biden's campaign: Freedom!

SHOW NOTES - including photo galleries from Crystal Cove, the Super Bloom, and Ken Fong's Garden.

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Ken and Betsey are on the countdown for 100 episodes of Beach Talk. They reflect on the terrible earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The State of the Union Address spurs commentary on the President's performance and many in the cast of characters that night - Kyrsten Sinema, George Santos, Mitt Romney, Marjorie Taylor Green, Kevin McCarthy and of course, Secretary Pete. Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivers a Republican response. FOX NEWS is in the crosshairs of a major lawsuit in which Dominion demands $1.6 billion in damages. In light of the spate of mass shootings and victims suffering at the hands of out-of-control policing, Ken and Betsey consider the rarely discussed discipline of lament. Finally, the two give their predictions for Super Bowl LVII. (Recorded on February 10, 2023)

Betsey celebrated her birthday with a visit to her long time home-town with her daughter and grand-daughter. Sunday's sermon sparked a conversation over the preacher's warning to refuse the "idolatry of political engagement." Betsey and Ken react to some pastors who either align with Trumpism or others who attempt to find a middle path. They review the final presentation of the Select Committee on the January 6 Attack - including the unanimous vote to subpoena the former President. There is new evidence wrapped in with prior evidence that validates the President's full responsibility for the events of January 6 - both in the execution and the planning of the assault on the Capitol and the attempt to frustrate the Election results. The Committee revealed video proof - before the election, Roger Stone, Steve Bannon and others spoke of the then President's strategy to claim victory before the completion of the vote count. If the count trended against him, he would cry FRAUD! The Supreme Court formally and categorically refused to hear the former President's request to thwart the investigation of the Department of Justice into the illegal possession of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Paul Ryan predicts that if the former President runs again in 2024, he will be defeated. Betsey shares the latest news regarding Sec. Pete, and describes her political activism, encouraging us all to get to work.

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Ken and Betsey bid farewell to Carla. They celebrate Chicago's wonders. Tragically, Buffalo was the scene of yet another deadly shooting, perpetrated by a  young assailant, heavily armed, with evil intent. His reasons were disturbingly clear - his manifesto rooted in white supremacy. The same weekend, there was a fatal shooting in Geneva Presbyterian Church in Orange County, CA. The mid-term elections loom large, with great consequence.  The perils of a Republican victory in the midterms included Mitch McConnell as Senate Majority Leader, Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House, and Jim Jordan as (probable) House Judiciary Committee Chair. Frank Schaeffer, son of Francis Schaeffer, has repudiated his role in the 1980s in giving birth to the far-right agenda so dominant today. Secretary Pete tours Europe to lead a presidential delegation to the Invictus Games. 

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For Easter Week, Ken and Carla begin on a very personal note - Carla's departed husband, Fritz would be celebrating his birthday on the day of this recording. They reminisce about Fritz who, like Ken, went o seminary and served as a pastor. Carla shares the story of their romance. The two reflect on the meaning of this season of resurrection. Turning to the headlines, Joe Biden acknowledges that the Russian assault on Ukraine is genocide. The war crimes accumulate. Ken shares his reading - Amor Towles' Gentleman in Moscow. Carla's book, The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks, is an historical novel that explores drama around the biblical David's life. Tiger Woods finished four rounds at the Masters. Carla brings us current on Secretary Pete and Lucy Lark. Next week, there will be a major announcement.

(NOTE: This version of the audio corrects the error in the original)

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The vote is in! Ketanji Brown Jackson has been approved by the Senate to become the newest Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Ken and Carla review the events leading up to and following the historic bi-partisan vote: 52/47. The sorry Republican response triggers their analysis and commentary. Eddie Glaude, Jr. and Cory Booker contribute their insight and perspectives. Carla raises the question of how it can be that once relatively reasonable conservative "intellectuals" like Eric Metaxas and Rod Dreher have become conspiratorial combatants, joining the ranks of Josh Hawley and Tom Cotton. Secretary Pete proceeds with his aggressive infrastructure agenda and gains ground as a national public figure. Baseball is back. Tiger Woods makes the cut at the Master's Tournament.

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Carla's experiencing a serious cold snap as Ken describes his California blue sky and 70 degrees. In this fireside chat, they open with stories of emotionally charged moments in church over the weekend - for them both in different places for different reasons: It's sacred ground. Time for lament; welcoming break-throughs. They reflect on Ken's conversation with Jasmin Shupper and her battle with the wealth gap through Greenline Housing Foundation. Sometimes anger opens doors for positive activism. Politically, Carla reminds us of the praiseworthy progress of the Biden administration as against the wave of criticism. Biden slips as a hot mike picks up his response to a combative media. Biden's team rallies the global allies around the threat of Putin's pending invasion of Ukraine. Tucker Carlson puffs Putin. The January 6 committee findings find a public hearing next month. Updates re Secretary Pete and Grandmotherhood.

Ken and Carla reminisce over the impact of Simon and Garfunkel on their formative years. You'll hear Carla sing. The pressure on the Biden administration is growing on the Voting Rights legislation. Secretary Pete visits Southern California to review the supply chain backup. John MacArthur comes out with a troubling and surprising take on religious freedom. Lucy Lark brings Carla joy. Ken shares a personal story, a near tragedy that might have changed everything. This edition of the podcast is a bridge over troubled water. 

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Official Site: The Simon and Garfunkel Story

Ken and Carla take their first Beach Talk for 2022 indoors - to a crackling fire for a Fireside Chat. They record this first conversation of the New Year on January 5, 2022, the day before the one year anniversary of the January 6 Insurrection of 2021. They share their thoughts. Players like Sean Hannity, Jamie Raskin, President Joe Biden and Secretary Pete among others are discussed.  In anticipation of the New Year, just they closed out 2021 with Five Reflections each, they each share their Five Hopes for 2022. They include family, politics, the pandemic, personal commitments and travel plans.  Ken begins his fourth Table Talk this month unpacking the 1619 Project with his partners, Osahon Obazuaye.

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Ken shares thoughts from the memorial for a good friend lost to Covid. He reminisces about a return to the church where he served as college pastor in the late seventies and early nineties. Carla identifies more complications relating to the Supreme Court's review of Roe v. Wade. Secretary Pete and V.P. Kamala Harris are getting noticed as potential presidential candidates.  The immortal fab four, The Beatles, are the focus of a new documentary that triggers all kinds of memories. As a high school kid, Carla heard the Beatles in concert - live.  "Yesterday, " says Carla, "is pure genius."

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From their beach chairs, Ken and Carla raise a glass as the Infrastructure is passed. They talk about how the "sausage got made." It's a long-awaited win for President Joe Biden, and a huge responsibility for Secretary Pete to show what he can do. Adam Kinzinger becomes more and more effective as an influential Republican. They reflect on the two big trials in the news, Kyle Rittenhouse, the self-styled vigilante, and the scene in the courtroom of the murder trial of Ahmad Arbery. The post-humous book from Rachel Held Evans has been released: Wholehearted Faith. Ken shares his thoughts with Carla. The new documentary, Mayor Pete, is now streaming on Amazon Prime. Carla shares her weekly update on the new baby - coming soon.

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Carla welcomes Ken home from his 3,600-mile road trip. They talk about the beauty and wonder still out there in America - the California Coast, the white-capped volcano-shaped peaks of the Pacific Northwest, the deep green forests, and wide desert plains. Then the fall colors - aspen trees in glittering gold and brown and red against a deep blue Utah sky. California's oil spill has spoiled a pristine beach in Huntington Beach and Newport. America has neglected infrastructute investment for too long - even our National Parks suffer from underfunding. Secretary Pete is ready to change that. Carla and Ken reflect on friendship. Carrie Newcomer's song "Refuge" packs a powerful message.

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SPECIAL EDITION - Ken checks in with Carla from his road trip - 3,500 miles in all - up the West Coast through San Francisco up to the Pacific Northwest and around to Utah's scenic highways. Carla bids an emotional and difficult farewell to her beloved pet, Gracie. Ken shares his experience with Barnabas, his Golden Retriever. Carla catches Ken up on the political scene. Author and former Southern Baptist Robert P. Jones comments on the American evangelical focus on the individual to the neglect of the good of all. They chat about the two big interviews on the podcast with Randall Balmer and Philip Yancey. Secretary Pete sports a thick beard and soon-to-be Grandma Carla gives an update on the pregnancy. 

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This week, Ken and Carla talk about the resistance to vaccinations the pressure on Joe Biden to call the nation together to battle the virus. This week, California votes on the recall of Governor Gavin Newsom, Larry Elder is making a full-court Trumpian run at replacing the governor. The new podcast SouthLake tells the story of an upscale Dallas community up in arms packing school board meetings with their complaints about masks, vaccines, and CRT (Critical Race Theory). The memory and legacy of Dallas Cowboy Frank Cornish is on the line. Linda Midgett's documentary film, SAME GOD (the story of Professor Larycia Hawkins) is as relevant today as when it was made. FRONTLINE traces the nation's journey from 9/11 (twenty years ago this week) through to the January 6 insurrection.  Jon Meacham's podcast, It Was Said, highlights the Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy - which Meacham ranks it among the greatest ever. Ken compares it with the Trump inaugural of January 2017 (by Stephen Miller). Secretary Pete? He's sporting a beard! It's public, they have TWO.

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Carla and Ken review the shutdown of American involvement in Afghanistan. Texas has implemented a draconian anti-abortion law that is blatantly unconstitutional. Ken shares a paper he wrote in seminary the year Roe v. Wade decision came down from the Supreme Court. Daniel Darling, a Vice President for the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) lost his job because he believes that Americans should get their vaccine. Donald Trump gets booed. Jane Goodall,  the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees had a telling conversation with Dr. Francis Collins (NIH and Biologos) which prompted Ken to share his latest read: Sapiens, A Brief History of Humankind.  It prompts Ken to share a passage from his book, My Creed. Carla catches us up on Secretary Pete and the progress of her journey toward Grand-motherhood. 

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- California Gov. Gavin Newsome is in play. The bi-partisan infrastructure bill got support from Senator John Thune. Ken talks about the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago - and Eric Larson's book, The Devil in the White City in which Chicago out-did Paris and the Eiffel Tower. They did it with a Ferris Wheel. They talk about the CT podcast - The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill - that unravels the effect of toxic masculinity embodied in the charismatic, discredited pastor, Mark Driscoll. Christianity Today makes a statement - it all started with leaders like Billy Graham and Carl F.H. Henry. Soon-to-be Grandma Carla shares the progress toward a welcome arrival. 

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Ken makes a visit to Carla's home. They share lunch and conversation about democracy in jeopardy - President Biden's strong speech. The Memory Law brings Carla to a new, hard truth about segregation, equal rights, and wedding gowns. They reflect on Ken's podcast with Ken Fong and the effect of political and religious growth and change on marriage and friendship. The Surfside tragedy brings us to the Secretary Pete (Buttigiege) update and the need for infrastructure. Carla's daughter share lunch and the anticipation of a grandchild's arrival this coming December. 

Big announcement from Carla! This Beach Talk gets personal. Ken and Carla pull up a chair on the beach to talk about life's wonderful surprises - surprises that motivate us to work toward a better world. They agree - Reveal Parties are risky business. Carla introduces her commitment to the PICK ONE plan - and she shares her picks:  Tim Ryan preparing for his Senate race in Ohio. Ryan is known for his powerful reprimand on the house floor of Republican naysayers. Florida's Congresswoman Val Demings, former Police Chief of Orlando also gets high marks from Carla for her 2022 challenge of Marco Rubio. California's Congressman Mike Garcia should be defeated in 2022. Secretary Pete is the subject of a major article in THE ATLANTIC that expounds on his work on the infrastructure plan and his aspiration for the years ahead. Joe Manchin seems to be enjoying the spotlight as a roadblock; Ken and Carla explore the politics of West Virginia that push the Senator toward resolute inaction. They kick around the impact of the filibuster and the absence of bi-partisanship for decades in Washington. They close with a review of the KENNEDY CENTER HONORS: Joan Baez, Dick VanDyke, Debbie Allen (iconic choreographer), Midori (virtuoso violinist), and Garth Brooks.

Ken and Carla compare notes reflecting on the year since George Floyd was murdered. It's also the 100 Year Anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre and time for us all to pay attention to a history that's been covered up. They respond to those who would discount and silence Critical Race Theory. Carla puts in a plug for a worthy project in the UK called Friendless Churches. On the eve of the release of the "God Bless the USA Bible," Zondervan gives in to objections cancels what some have called and American Apocrypha. The Secretary Pete update includes his inspiring visit to a major construction site - The Plane Train in Atlanta. They close with personal reflections on Memorial Day - they talk about their Dads. 

Edition #105

Ken welcomes Carla to his home in Southern California. They share some of the highlights of the visit and then move on to the stories of the week including the announcement by President Biden and VP Kamala Harris regarding masks for the vaccinated. They salute Liz Cheney for her strong stand against her party's dogged loyalty to the former president - the unlikely rise of Elise Stafanik. They review Ken's interview with Dr. Kristin Du Mez and her friend Dr. Beth Allison Barr's new book: The Making of Biblical Womanhood. In light of the Mother's Day ordination of three women at SBC Saddleback Church (Pastor Rick Warren), they, along with Beth Moore, have challenged the Southern Baptist Convention. Carla brings an update on Secretary Pete and his "impact on the stock market." Finally, they take a stroll through the rose gardens at the Huntington Library in San Marino.