Mar 01 2025 55 mins 3
In this timely and special episode of The Beached White Male Podcast, host Ken Kemp welcomes back his trusted friend and guest, Betsey Newenhuyse, for a deep dive into the emotional and spiritual challenges of our current political climate. As the nation grapples with division and uncertainty, Ken and Betsey explore how faith, friendship, and personal reflection can serve as vital coping mechanisms.
Their conversation is framed by two compelling pieces of writing: an essay by the celebrated storyteller Garrison Keillor and Katherine Stewart’s powerful new book, Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy. Keillor’s reflections on friendship, place, worship, and prayer provide a sense of comfort and nostalgia—reminding us of the grounding forces in our lives that help us weather difficult times. Meanwhile, Stewart’s investigative work exposes the dangerous political forces seeking to manipulate faith for power, offering a sobering counterpoint to the more personal and spiritual aspects of the discussion.
Ken and Betsey reflect on the tension between these two perspectives—the solace found in spiritual traditions versus the urgent need to confront political realities that threaten democratic values. Through honest conversation, they explore how people of conscience can stay engaged without losing hope, how faith communities can be both a refuge and a call to action, and how, even in the midst of turmoil, we can still proclaim, “It is well with my soul.”
The Three Tenors perform “It Is Well With My Soul” in Bath, England
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