PODCASTS

Tag: #familylifenypa

Vocabulary & Tone matter, to communicate Faith & Values – 8/05/24

Vocabulary & Tone matter, to communicate Faith & Values – 8/05/24

How to “word” an Abortion Debate, to be more likely to change hearts and minds…..

A Christian public-relations specialist says people with a particular “take” on the pro-life/pro-abortion debate — or any other contentious cultural issue — would do well to choose productive tones and words to influence people who disagree. People can use productive vocabulary when we speak, and listen for accurate or inaccurate wording in speeches, news coverage and public debate.

Thomas Ciesielka has recommended a number of experts for other Family Life interviews on multiple”hot topics”. Family Life News Producer Greg Gillispie asked if he would do his own interview, about the best processes and techniques that shape public conversation.

Ciesielka says it is vital to be intentional and conscientious in choosing the wording of your statements and questions. Such choices determine whether you earn a hearing, then ultimately whether you can win or lose the argument.

Pennsylvania native Tom Ciesielka has a quarter-century of experience in public relations and business development. After working at another PR agency which wanted him to work for clients which violated his personal and religious values, he founded TC Public Relations which centers its media and messaging services toward Christian groups, pro-life organizations, and other nonprofits with traditional values:

Staycation: Coudersport Ice Mine – Gary Buchsen – 8/02/24

Staycation: Coudersport Ice Mine – Gary Buchsen – 8/02/24

It’s “Staycation Desinations” on Family Life

This week, a visit to a unique phenomenon of nature, in North Central Pennsylvania.

The Coudersport Ice Mine has been a longtime attraction for locals and out-of-town visitors. After being closed for a number of years, Gary Buchsen (the father) reopened the Ice Mine ten years ago. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, guests can see how layers of ice hold onto the mine’s walls, even with the hot summer temperatures in the surrounding outdoor air.

That man’s son, also named Gary Buchsen, retired after a career as a school superintendent and now leads the family’s operation of the Ice Mine. Listen to that stories — and a preview of what guests experience — in this weekly summer podcast from Family Life News.

The Coudersport Ice Mine is open Wednesdays through Sundays in the summer. More details about the location, hours, and affordable ticket prices are available from their Facebook and website.  The travel website Atlas Obscura also took a tour, posting more history, photos and reactions.

 

 

 

Staycation Destinations is a summer feature on the Family Life Radio Network, hosted by Greg Gillispie. Each Friday we seek to map out a unique opportunity for you to map out somewhere unique in Pennsylvania and New York — fairly close to home and fairly affordable.  Podcasts of our previous episodes are available anytime to hear, download or share from our News Podcasts page at www.FamilyLife.org. You can also search for “Family Life News” on the Family Life Now mobile app, Spotify and many other podcast sources.

“Buckle up, and enjoy your journeys.”

City on the Hill – Motivation for the Next Generation of Faithful Activitists – 8/01/24

City on the Hill – Motivation for the Next Generation of Faithful Activitists – 8/01/24

City on the Hill – Motivation for the Next Generation of Faithful Activists

A Family Life Interview on “Faith Under Fire” – 8/01/2024

Some five dozen young-adult Christians spent a week getting information and inspiration on how to live faithfully and act Biblically in the public square.

 

“City on the Hill” just completed its 24th year of motivating the next generation of Christian activists. The program is an outreach of the Pennsylvania Family Institute. It uses workshops, guest speakers, open discussions, and a simulation of a legislative debate to help the high school and college students wrestle with the social, political and cultural issues of the day. The subject matter ranges from Christians in the Public Square to The Case for Life to Why Religious Freedom Matters.

This is the first of a two-part interview with Amaya Montijo, a high school student from Annville, and Jacob Reece, a college student from Blandon. Both are multi-year participants in City on the Hill.

 

For your follow-up:

  • The Pennsylvania Family Institute presents City on the Hill as a leadership development and worldview conference each July. Details are here.
  • Their promotional video is also online.
  • Jacob Reece also wrote a blog post, telling his first-person account of how he has been changed through his experiences at COTH.

 

Part Two of this conversation aired on 8/12/2024.  The podcast version is available here.

Hometown Heroes – Keystone Outreach – 7/30/24

Hometown Heroes – Keystone Outreach – 7/30/24

It’s “Hometown Heroes” from Family Life News

Keystone State Outreach offers an annual Summer Service Camp for middle school and high school youth groups in West Milton, Pennsylvania.

Dozens of students converge on the Susquehanna River Valley to offer people yard work, painting and home repairs. Participants and their adult leaders also join in energetic worship experiences.

Local coordinator Eric Roberts tells stories of how the groups come together to grow in their own faith, by serving others as Jesus served others.

 

 

Strategies for Presidential and Senate Races: National and in PA — Jeff Bloodworth

Strategies for Presidential and Senate Races: National and in PA — Jeff Bloodworth

A Family Life Interview: Political Strategies, in Changeable Times — 7/29/2024

A week ago, Erie-based political scientist Jeff Bloodworth offered us analysis of how the Democratic Party is handling a quick conversion of its ticket for the presidential and vice-presidential campaign.

During today’s Family Life Noon Report, Professor Bloodworth surveys options and strategies available to the Republicans, in light of Joe Biden’s withdrawal from seeking reelection. During this conversation, he says the GOP has immediate opportunities to allow the Democrats to publicly try to sort out its winning ticket. The political history professor at Gannon University also zooms in on three Pennsylvanians with prominent roles heading into the 2024 general elections:

  • Governor Josh Shapiro, considered by many to be a likely candidate to run for his party nationally this fall
  • Incumbent Democrat Bob Casey Junior, whose prospects for the U.S. Senate may be hampered by his vocal support for President Biden before and after the consequential June debate
  • Republican Senate challenger Dave McCormick, whom Bloodworth says could campaign on whether Casey was telling the truth to his constituents or prioritizing his own political party’s interests

Dr. Bloodworth also gives us his current evaluation of how the 2024 results will shape up — two options, subject to potentially more week-by-week swings in political trends as have happened every week so far this summer.

 

FOR FURTHER LISTENING:

In addition to this interview about likely Republican strategies, a parallel conversation about Democratic strategies [online here] is also available from the “Family Life News” podcasts from the Family Life Now mobile app, most other podcast platforms, and on the NEWS tab at www.FamilyLife.org.

     

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