Being Human

Evangelical Alliance
Being Human

Join Jo Frost and Peter Lynas for a conversation asking what it really means to be human. Listen in as they discuss  some of the biggest issues of our day, all the while exploring how we can ensure that it’s God’s story that ultimately defines who we are and how we live our lives.

  1. 07/11/2024

    Health and wellness

    In the final episode of the season, hosts Jo Frost and Peter Lynas discuss the intricate relationship between health, wellness, and what it means to be truly, fully human. Exploring the cultural stories that shape our view of health and wellness, they delve into topics such as nutrition, sleep, body image, and mental well-being. As with all episodes in this season, Jo and Peter use the Being Human lens to analyse these aspects through the aspects of presence, significance, participation, and connection. They highlight the cultural contradictions surrounding health and wellness and emphasise the importance of community, hospitality, and generosity for a holistic and healthier life. Practical applications like fasting, simplicity, and hospitality are recommended to cultivate wholeness and better health. 00:00 Season Finale Announcement 01:13 Today we’re chatting health and wellness 02:23 Recap on the Being Human lens 04:07 The importance of sleep 07:50 Health span vs. Life span 09:17 Holistic health and wellness 12:57 What does the God story tell us about healthy bodies? 19:18 Health inequality and the challenge of dignity and respect 23:33 Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit 24:26 Participation and the sedentary lifestyle 26:27 Health data and health tracking 29:22 The influence of social media on health 31:27 Connection through food and relationships 34:45 Health as a justice issue 37:33 Practices for health and wellness 43:51 That’s a wrap!

    45 min
  2. 07/04/2024

    Race and ethnicity

    In this episode Jo and Peter welcome their friend and head of public policy, Alicia to the conversation. This time ethnicity is placed the centre of the lens and through significance, connection, presence and participation, they track some of the major cultural shifts in this vital and global conversation. From the murder of George Floyd in the US to the case of Child Q in the UK, they lament over the prevalence of injustice, while looking to the God Story for a more hopeful narrative. Alongside personal stories the conversation touches on how Christians might seek wisdom when it comes to language and ideas like intersectionality. And admits a culture that so often only wants to deconstruct, they look to the opportunity for hospitality, relationship and rebuilding in Jesus’ name to bridge divides. They ask what can the story found in scripture tell us about difference, identity and community when it comes to thinking about ethnicity?   Part one (00:00) 00:07 Welcome and introductions with Alicia.  01:43 Framing today’s topic: ethnicity and identity.  06:17 Looking at language: race, ethnicity and nationality.  12:18 Putting ethnicity in the centre of the lens.  13:18 Significance and the murder of George Floyd.  18:19 Why we might struggle to recognise our own sin and prejudice. 21:12 The God story: liberation, redeeming identity and the story of Hagar.    Part two (26:17) 26:20 Connection, Christian global community and building peace. 30:01 Friendship and combatting the fear of misspeaking. 33:11 Biblical mandate: being sanctification and made holy. 36:11 Presence: Child Q as a moment of reckoning. 41:28 Deconstruction, intersectionality and rebuilding in Jesus's name. 45:35 The good shepherd. 48:05 Participation: migration and the mandate of hospitality. 52:55 Practicing gratitude. 54:12 Practicing study and intercession.

    58 min
  3. 06/27/2024

    Generational perspectives on work, rest and play

    In this episode of Being Human, Jo and Peter are joined by their twenty-five-year-old team member Emma to discuss the generational shift in perspectives on work, rest, and play. From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, they explore how different age groups approach work-life balance, purpose, and identity. Diving into the world of intergenerational workplace dynamics, the impact of digital culture, hobbies, mental health and the quest for a meaningful rest vs work ethic, they draw on the wisdom of the God Story to seek a better narrative. The episode wraps up with three practical spiritual habits – rest, solitude and communion - for navigating these challenges.   Part one (00:00)  00:40 Meet Emma: behind the scenes to on the mic.01:10 Today’s topic: generational perspectives on work, rest, and play. 02:39 Gen-z, millennials, Gen-x and boomers: understanding the generational categories.  05:06 The Being Human lens: a way to explore the cultural stories. 07:06 Participation: what does each generation look for in work? 14:31 Play and rest: hobby and volunteering culture across generations.  16:40 The God Story: purpose and gifting.  Part two (19:58) 20:00 Significance: does your identity come from your work?   25:52 Anxious generations: shifts in work perception and uncertainty. 29:05 Work, identity, and rest: a biblical perspective.  33:30 Connection: gen-z in the digital age and conflict in relationships.  38:50 Presence and place: flexibility and the future of work. 45:15 A better story with three spiritual practices: rest, solitude and communion.  49:22 Finishing up: do get in touch!

    52 min
  4. 05/30/2024

    Artificial intelligence (AI)

    In this episode Jo and Peter use the apologetics tool - the Being Humans Lens - to chat all-things artificial intelligence (AI). They ask: does AI know us better than we know ourselves? Can AI really become a source for our relationships? And how might we draw on the wisdom of the God Story when it comes to navigating the future of tech?  Through exploring significance, connection, participation and presence the conversation covers AI’s benefits and challenges, from ChatGPT and self-driving cars to ethical dilemmas and the potential for deep fakes. They also consider the environmental impact of AI and the questions around ethical frameworks to guide its development. Ultimately, we dive back to the better story found in the pages of scripture for a hopeful perspective on integrity, empathy and wisdom in this digital age.   Part one (00:00)  01:06 Welcome back and introducing today’s topic: AI 03:03 Putting AI at the focal point of the Being Human Lens. 05:01 Significance: AI bias, data and ethics. 12:45 The God story: Genesis and wisdom.   Part two (17:03)  17:06 AI and connection: how do we build an ethnical framework?  25:36 Loneliness: is AI really a source for relationship?  27:31 Biblical empathy and ethics: relational beings in a digital world. 29:27 Real vs fake: presence and digital deconstruction.  35:38 The environmental cost of AI.  38:10 A better story: stewarding God’s creation, pursing truth and encounter.  40:51 Participation and creativity: does AI really know us better than we know ourselves?  44:50 ‘Hypersuasion’: AI's influence on our choices.  49:08 Wisdom and integrity in the age of AI.  51:12 Three spiritual habits: digital abstinence, worship and examen.

    54 min

About

Join Jo Frost and Peter Lynas for a conversation asking what it really means to be human. Listen in as they discuss  some of the biggest issues of our day, all the while exploring how we can ensure that it’s God’s story that ultimately defines who we are and how we live our lives.

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