A discussion about divorce and death

"No one shows up at the door with casseroles when your no-good husband abandons you. You're an embarrassment and you're also embarrassed, and people wonder about what kind of wife you really were. Death would have been so much easier than this."[1] I read this quote online where people were debating the difference between divorce and the death of a spouse. It’s pretty insightful. 

Tonight, we’re continuing our discussion with Steve Grissom, the creator of the DivorceCare program that has helped over a million people navigate the car wreck that is divorce. We’ll discuss this comparison as well as the GriefShare program Steve started to help people grieving the death of a loved one. 

PLEASE EXCUSE THE POOR AUDIO QUALITY ON ED’S END OF THE RECORDING.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

The most important thing when grieving divorce or death.

The added grieving burden of COVID.

It’s admittedly hard to attend a support group at first.

FULL STEVE GRISSOM INTERVIEW - PART 2

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AGAIN, PLEASE EXCUSE THE POOR AUDIO QUALITY ON ED’S END OF THE RECORDING.

Divorce - An attorney's perspective

There are roughly 750,000 divorces in the U.S. each year affecting well over a million people. The vast majority of these separations are ugly, terribly painful, and force people to make a host of major decisions under duress.

Tonight, we’ll get a divorce attorney’s perspective on divorce. We’ll be talking to Dana Carlson, a partner at the Hale Ball law firm in Fairfax, VA. I was pointed to Dana this past year while helping a friend navigate a divorce along with other serious issues, like depression and alcoholism. During a handful of interactions, I was struck by Dana’s competence, compassion, and how available he made himself to the cause of helping my friend. I figured, who better to help us get a sense for the challenges faced by divorce lawyers.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Advocating for your client doesn’t mean only looking at one side of the story.

The importance of quality relationships outside of marriage.

Creating an opportunity to share the Good News.

FULL DANA CARLSON INTERVIEW

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More information: Hale Ball law firm Website

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Opening music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough 

Leadership development - Part 2

There seems to be a serious void in leadership today.  Tribalism, self-righteousness, contempt and dishonesty are far too common among our government, business, and even church leaders.  What can we do to address this problem?

Tonight we continue our discussion with the President of The Trinity Forum, an organization working to transform society through the character and spiritual development of our leaders.  Cherie Harder joined the forum in 2008 following a career in government that included stints at the White House and Congress.  Cherie joins us to talk about the Forum and the most important insight’s they’ve gained about leadership from their work with leading Christian thinkers. 

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Searching for truth for the right reasons and with a healthy skepticism.

The importance of getting to know the despised and feared “other.”

The power of hospitality.

FULL CHERIE HARDER INTERVIEW - PART 2

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More information: The Trinity Forum Website

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Opening and closing music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough 

Hometown compassion and justice

A few months back, an Arlington county student told his teacher that his family had been evicted from their home and that they desperately needed financial help or would find themselves on the street.  The teacher notified her church, who immediately contacted an Arlington non-profit that specializes in addressing urgent needs, and within 24 hours the family had a down payment for a new rental property.  When I heard about this I thought, wow, what great story about people working together to swiftly and effectively address a critical need in their community. 

Tonight, we’re joined by Anna Maia, the Director of Compassion and Justice Initiatives at Grace Community Church in Arlington, VA and one of the people involved in helping this family. Anna works with local and global partners to create unusual opportunities for church members to serve people in Arlington and around the world. She’s going to tell us about some of these efforts and how listeners can get involved.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Keep your eyes open for opportunities to serve.

A challenge to show appreciation for the unseen workers around you.

Opportunity separates us from excellence.

FULL ANNA MAIA INTERVIEW

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More information: Grace Community Church

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Opening music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough 

Redemption following years of sexual abuse

Forgiveness doesn’t excuse terrible behavior, but it prevents horrendous actions from continuing to destroy your heart, mind, and peace. These are the words of Dr. Gregory Williams, who was sexually abused by his father for 12 years. Dr. Williams is on the administrative leadership team at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He’s also the author of Shattered by the Darkness: Putting the Pieces Back Together After Child Abuse, and he hosts the Breaking the Silence video podcast. Tonight we’re airing the second half of our interview with Greg where he shares his experiences, talks about his decision to forgive his father, and offers advice for people suffering from abuse.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Advice for teachers, coaches, and other influencers in a child’s world.

An example of radical forgiveness.

Could the worst pain you’ve ever experienced be the key to your destiny?

PART 2 OF FULL DR. GREGORY WILLIAMS INTERVIEW

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More information: ACEs Connection (Adverse Childhood Experiences social network and research hub); Shattered by the Darkness book series; Breaking the Silence podcast

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Opening music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough 

Closing music by Elevation Worship, Exalted One

Being a grace lobbyist

Last month, I was interviewed by Greg Williams on his Breaking the Silence video podcast. Among other things, we discussed the realness, super-power, and practicality of God’s grace; the importance of self-reflection; and the need for each of us to be a grace lobbyist. This is the audio portion of the second half of the video interview.   

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

The ultimate tonic for what ails the world.

Make it your goal to promote grace everywhere you go.

The biggest lesson I learned following an in-depth analysis of healing in the Bible.

FULL ED MELICK INTERVIEW ON BREAKING THE SILENCE - PART 2

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More information: Grace in 30 radio program/podcast; edmelick.com

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Opening music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough 

Closing music by Elevation Worship, Open Up Our Eyes - Live

The redemptive violence of grace

Last month, Ed was interviewed by Dr. Gregory Williams on his Breaking the Silence video podcast. Among other things, he discussed the realness, super-power, and practicality of God’s grace; the importance of self-reflection; and the need for each of us to be a grace lobbyist. This is the audio portion of the first half of the video interview.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Sometimes the only place that will lead you to change is the last place you want to go.

Each of us has an infinite capacity for self deception.

What do you call yourself when you cannot help but tell about the wonderful grace of Jesus Christ?

FULL ED MELICK INTERVIEW ON BREAKING THE SILENCE - PART 1

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More information: Grace in 30 radio program/podcast; edmelick.com

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Opening music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough 

Some Christmas Music

Tonight’s program is all Christmas music.  I’ll be playing a number of songs from one of my all-time favorite albums, Christmas with the Canadian Brass and the Great Organ of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.  I’ll also sprinkle in some of my favorite Christmas choral music from the New York Choral Artists and the Westminster Cathedral Choir.  The playlist is below.  Enjoy, and have a wonderful Christmas. 

Playlist:

Insights from a master storyteller and media expert

Tonight’s guest is a gifted storyteller, as evidenced by the 15 Emmys he’s won.  Nick Nanton has interviewed, produced documentaries about, and worked on other projects with notable people like Sir Richard Branson, Steve Forbes, Larry King, and will.i.am.  He’s the co-founder of DNA, a full-service media, marketing and PR agency, and the largest personal branding agency in the world – representing more than 3000 clients in 60 countries.  Nick joins us tonight to share his story along with insights into how to succeed in a media-saturated world. 

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

How do you tell a good story?

Advice for isolated times.

A conversation you need to have with your kids.

FULL NICK NANTON INTERVIEW

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More information: The Dicks + Nanton Agency; DNA Films; NickNanton.com

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Opening music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough 

The journey of an NBA chaplain's son

Tonight’s guest traveled the globe with his dad, the former chaplain of the Boston Celtics and the founder of the NBA’s Chapel Program.  Brandon Alexson has seen the power of sports – in this case, basketball – to influence lives around the world.  Brandon joins us to talk about some of his experiences overseas, his personal journey, and his work with sex-trafficking victims and young adults coming out of the foster care system. 

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Loving people and sharing good news.

Finding the peace you’ve been searching for your whole life.

FULL BRANDON ALEXSON INTERVIEW

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More information: Sports Power International

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Opening music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough 

Evangelicals - Part 2

Tonight’s interview is the second half of last week’s chat with Rob Schenck, a former radical anti-abortion activist who now works to liberate the Evangelical community from the grips of extreme politics, urging Washington conservatives to move beyond tribalism and the politics of hate, fear, and violence.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Who is the neighbor described in the greatest commandment?

The voice of the church should bother our leaders.

Reacting to the idea of a “grace lobbyist” working to promote love, selflessness, sacrifice, and unity on Capitol Hill.

FULL ROB SCHENCK INTERVIEW

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Has "evangelical" become a four-letter word?

Tonight’s guest has experienced three significant conversions in his life: from Jewish roots to Christianity; from a pure faith to a highly political one; and from the religious right to the simplicity of the Gospel. Once a radical anti-abortion activist, today he works to liberate the evangelical community from the grips of extreme politics and urges Washington conservatives to move beyond tribalism and the politics of hate, fear, and violence. Rob Schenck describes himself as a recovering member of the religious right, and his most recent book, Costly Grace, describes how he broke free from his descent into radical politics through humility, self-reflection, and a return to the essence of the Gospel. 

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

A challenge to evangelicals to get back to the centrality of Jesus Christ.

Working on humility should not be hard for evangelicals.

A peculiar species of American Evangelicals.

FULL ROB SCHENCK INTERVIEW

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Being a light in the midst of today's chaos

We are a little over two months away from the presidential election and our country seems to have lost its mind. The unity displayed in the early stages of the pandemic has given way to an absurd level of tribalism and irrational behavior. People with automatic weapons are protesting the “tyranny” of wearing a facemask, new Karen videos seem to surface every day, social unrest seems ever present, and some of our leaders are even promoting a culture of racism, fear and violence in the society they are sworn to protect and serve. What’s a follower of Christ to do? 

We’ll be discussing this tonight with Jonathan Leeman, the editorial director at 9Marks – an organization that equips church leaders with resources for building healthy churches – and the author of How the Nations Rage: Rethinking Faith and Politics for a Divided Age.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Giving each other the freedom to disagree.

The danger of trusting government over God.

As we fret about our future president, remember the perfect King who will one day lead the world.

FULL JONATHAN LEEMAN INTERVIEW

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More information: Jonathan Leeman on Twitter; 9Marks Website

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Opening music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough 

Erskin, RBC & U2

Christian music has come a long way in terms of its musicality and appeal. Some people love that, and others not so much. My daughter (Shannon) and I have always been a bit picky about the music we listen to in this genre and I thought it would be fun to play a few of my favorite songs for her and get her reaction. So, feel free to grab a headset or connect to a stereo and enjoy the music. Hang on beyond the 28 minute mark for bonus discussion.

SONGS: 40 by U2, recorded live in Chicago in 2005 (Intro); Black and White by Erskin Anavitarte; Psalm 119 by Reston Bible Church; 40 by U2; Magnificent by U2 (program close).

Sharing Matisyahu

For as long as I can remember, my daughter and I have really enjoyed the worship music at church services, usually sitting in the front row of the sanctuary so we can jam out every week. We have not, though, enjoyed the studio versions of the same songs we hear and sing at church as much. Outside of church, we often listen to less overtly Christian artists and search for meaning and theology in their music. Tonight, we’re going to focus on one of our favorite performers. Matisyahu is a former Hasidic Jew, reggae musician, composer, and beat boxer. We’re going to play a few of his songs and chat about what they have meant to us.

Songs: Surrender, live on Jimmy Kimmel (program intro); Jerusalem (Out of Darkness Comes Light); I Will Be Light, live at Stubbs; One Day, live on David Letterman.

God is a Designer

Is it possible to infuse design with grace?  Can you design products, services, businesses, entertainment, graphics or anything else in a way that reveals and expresses God’s grace? Tonight, I’m joined by my good friend Erwin Godoy, a local innovation executive and Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves who’s been working in the design/innovation space for a number of years. Erwin joins me to talk about what design is, what great designers do, and seeing God as the ultimate designer. 

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

It takes complex solutions to solve problems in a simple way.

The importance of empathy in design.

Each of us is designed to fulfill God’s specific purpose for us.

FULL ERWIN GODOY INTERVIEW

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Recommended design resources: Jon Kolko; Strategyzer; Value Proposition Design; The Design of Everyday Things

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Opening music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough 

Helping children navigate social upheaval and COVID isolation

There’s been a significant increase in mental health issues among our children due to COVID isolation, social unrest, and the economic challenges many of their parents are suddenly facing.  These include things like anxiety, rebellion, and even suicidal thoughts. Add these to environments with a greater frequency of violence, drug use, and gang activity, and the challenge of treating these conditions becomes even greater.

Tonight, we’re talking to Dr. Robert Wingfield, the Chief Psychologist at the Boys Town Behavioral Health Clinic in Washington, D.C.  Robert joins us to talk about the issues he most frequently encounters and to offer advice on how to help our children handle these unusual times.    

EMERGENCY HOTLINE NUMBER: 800-448-3000 or text VOICE to 20121

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

The impact of watching the murder of George Floyd.

Talk to your children and read with them to promote virtuous behavior.

You don’t need to know everything the moment it occurs.

The importance of self examination, improvement and modelling good behavior.

FULL DR. ROBERT WINGFIELD INTERVIEW

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For more information: Boys Town Washington, D.C. Website; EMERGENCY HOTLINE PAGE

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Opening music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough 

Recognizing, mourning, and repenting of 400 years of racial injustice

In May 2015, a group of 25 people gathered to clear growth, fallen logs, branches, and old fencing that had slowly overtaken the Sam Moore Slave Cemetery in Quicksburg, VA. Towards the end of the day, as the team reflected on their work, a thick, old tree stump in the center of the clearing suddenly popped into flames. It was like something was being released from the ground.

On a later visit to the Corhaven Graveyard, as it’s come to be known, about 15 people felt compelled to launch an effort known as the Repentance Project, which encourages racial healing through the acknowledgement and communication of the enduring legacies of slavery as well as through repentance and relationship building. Tonight, we’ll hear from two of their leaders – Reverend Bill Haley and Max Finberg. 

Also, a lamentation service for racial injustice will be held at the Corhaven Graveyard on June 19 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET and will be live streamed. Please visit this registration link if you would like to view the service.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Prayers for peace without a call for justice are not enough.

The Christlike example of the African American church and community.

We are all created in the image of God.

The most important thing a white person can do.

Getting the world back to what it was intended to be.

FULL REPENTANCE PROJECT INTERVIEW

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For more information: The Repentance Project Website

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Opening and closing music: Black & White, Erskin

Songwriting, racism, and some music

In the midst of a global pandemic, economic disruption, and racial upheaval, it’s easy to become overly focused on the negative. As a result, we’ll be playing a little more music on Grace in 30 with the hope of providing listeners with shots of inspiration. Tonight, I’m chatting with the former Worship Pastor from Grace Community Church in Arlington, VA who now serves in a similar role at a church in Oklahoma. Christian Nuckels is a songwriter and producer who has been busy on a number of musical fronts. Join us as we talk about some of the music he recently created and racial tensions in America.

MUSIC & HIGHLIGHTS

A song of praise for our ultimate Provider, Protector, Healer and Guide.

White and black artists team up to express the graphic imagery of Good Friday.

We’ve been made new, whole and truly alive by an unfathomable power inside us.

FULL CHRISTIAN NUCKELS INTERVIEW

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For more information: Christian Nuckels Website; Christian on Spotify

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Chill house music from a once-in-a-lifetime trip

In late summer 2016, my ex-wife, Diane, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The following November, after an aggressive but failed regimen of chemotherapy, she was told that she likely had three months to live – and possibly less. Not long after, we began planning one of those once-in-a-lifetime trips you hear about people taking when facing death. After much discussion, Diane, me and our college-age daughter headed to South Beach in Miami, Florida on New Year’s Day to stay at a fabulous new hotel. One of the things that made the trip special, oddly enough, was the music playing in the pool area which almost always seemed to be within earshot. Tonight, I’m going to play some of that music and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. 

Playlist: Moving On by Roosevelt (beginning and end of the program); Edge of the Ocean by Ivy; Palmtree (Balduin Mix) by Mandelbarth; Diskostrand (instrumental version featuring Lions Head) by Lakechild; I Was Wrong (Robin Schulz Mix) by Arizona; Flame (Roosevelt Remix) by Sundara Karma