Ok. To be fair, Brian and I don’t answer the question proposed in the title, but we make some headway. I thought I knew Brian pretty well, but I learned so much while we were talking. Did you know he taught Junior High? Well, ok, maybe you did. But did you know he holds a Masters in Special Ed in addition to his MDiv? Aha – got ya… you knew that too? I didn’t. Well maybe y’all do know Brian better than I do. We didn’t talk about hardly any of that. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The song we heard in this episode from David Lamotte was called Hope. Find David’s complete catalog and all the other peace, light and life giving stuff he is doing at http://www.davidlamotte.com

I wanted to address something I said about 5 minutes into the discussion. I said “the George Floyd thing.” Now, I edited out the extended period of silence and me stammering around trying to find the appropriate word(s) for the issues and actions surrounding the death of George Floyd and everything that has happened since. “Thing” is what I came up with and the conversation continued. As inarticulate and inadequate as labeling the incredible movement started by his death and subsequent events a “thing” is, I still struggle with what to call it.

It is larger than his death – decades larger, centuries larger, everyday larger. Its more than Black Lives Matter, White Supremacy, white privilege, white guilt, white fragility. Its oppression, repression, violence, hatred, inequality, inequity, racism, Its a lot of, well, things. I am not trying to minimize the movement – just the opposite. I’m trying not to pigeon hole it or reduce it any way. Its too big and way too important for that.

What do you call it? Anti-racism covers a lot. And I have a lot of work to do.

It was my pleasure to speak with Jane Wilson, recent graduate of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics – go Unicorns – and a part of my Circle of Mercy circle. We talked about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted her school, family, and social life. And should you want to know what her favorite Thai dish is, and why wouldn’t you, she shares that as well. Thanks Jennifer for interrupting us right in the middle of a very deep discussion on the multi-layered controversies surrounding Episodes VII, VIII, and IX of the Star Wars saga to take her Thai order.

She was a great conversationalist and a gracious guest. I forgot to hit record on the first part of our conversation so I made her repeat stuff. This might have thrown others off their game, but not Jane.

It was a pleasure talking with Dr. Beth Buys for this episode. Beth is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist and the Department Director at MAHEC. I have complete confidence that OB/GYN residents coming out of her program will go on to be top notch practitioners.

If you’re critique after listening is that I talked too much, then you’d be right. But I just couldn’t help myself. I promise my guests a conversational experience and that’s what we had – a conversation.

The stuff before the break is pretty sciencey, but after the break we talk about how her family is doing and find hope and humor in the COVID-19 era.

Kelsey and I discuss the changes she has had to make in her work during the quarantine and the possible positives that may come out of it. We also talk about family interactions and how she and Jordan are coping creatively while staying home and staying safe. I hope you enjoy listening to her as much as I enjoyed talking with her.