"GIVE FEEDBACK (or reach out via: https://JosephMLenard.us/contact)"

CTP (S3E147) Toxic Empathy - Do You Want A Dream (Delusion) Or A Mirror (Reality) - the TOXIC EMPATHY (syndrome, and book by that name) discussion
Exploring more of the fascinating intersection of Activism, Community Engagement, Faith / Religion, Human Nature, Politics, Social Issues, and beyond
We challenge the idea that empathy is always a virtue and argue that “toxic empathy” can be used to push people toward harmful outcomes. We mix cultural critique with satire and a tough-love call to choose reality over comforting delusion.
• why we release a former video exclusive as audio
• the difference between wanting to be good and being useful
• how toxic empathy reframes harm as compassion
• why feelings can’t replace facts in moral decisions
• the gap between classical liberal instincts and ideological activism
• satire and songs as a way to expose denial and outrage loops
• the case for tough love and speaking hard truths
SEND US FEEDBACK: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2210487/fan_mail/new
https://tinyurl.com/SubscribeToCTP
CTP Audios: https://tinyurl.com/CTPonBuzzsprout
CTP Videos: https://tinyurl.com/JLDonBITCHUTE
https://tinyurl.com/CTPgear

A Short Story: A Lasting Legacy? book Trailer

Support the show

JLenardDetroit SUBSCRIBE-
Author, Blogger, Podcaster

"GIVE FEEDBACK (or reach out via: https://JosephMLenard.us/contact)"

CTP (S3EAprSpecial2) Escaping The Why Me Trap
Exploring more of the fascinating intersection of Activism, Community Engagement, Faith / Religion, Human Nature, Politics, Social Issues, and beyond
We talk with Marat Welker about the Why Me mindset and how it quietly turns hard moments into a story of powerlessness. We challenge the “happily ever after” myth, unpack how identity and social media shape our thinking, and share a simple language shift that helps us act instead of react.
• defining the Why Me mindset versus victimhood
• how imposter syndrome and survival instincts feed self-focused thinking
• identity as a lens that shapes decisions and beliefs
• faith and philosophy as tools for resilience in a fallen world
• social media dopamine loops and amplified grievance
• Cinderella as a model for “happier ever after” habits
• dropping the words “to me” to regain agency
• gratitude and challenges as a path to growth
• empty nester identity loss and finding a new mission
• Marat’s coaching program built on Bible, science, and habits
https://tinyurl.com/SubscribeToCTP
CTP Audios: https://tinyurl.com/CTPonBuzzsprout
CTP Videos: https://tinyurl.com/JLDonBITCHUTE
https://tinyurl.com/CTPgear

A Short Story: A Lasting Legacy? book Trailer

Support the show

JLenardDetroit SUBSCRIBE-
Author, Blogger, Podcaster

"GIVE FEEDBACK (no-reply-text (2-way comm: https://JosephMLenard.us/contact))"

CTP (S3E146) Do We Want Comfort Or Truth About War
Exploring more of the fascinating intersection of Activism, Community Engagement, Faith / Religion, Human Nature, Politics, Social Issues, and beyond
We take a classic rock peace anthem and test its claims against human nature, free will, and the real incentives that drive war. We also share how we use music playlists and original songs to keep our writing grounded in truth rather than comfort.
• why “no more presidents” is a hopeful line that ignores human nature
• the problem with utopian politics and “imagine” style thinking
• free will under God and why forced unity is not realistic
• why peace is a goal but hope is not a strategy
• reading seemingly opposing Bible verses in full context
• using a massive Life and Living series playlist as writing fuel and bonus material
• introducing Suno tracks about hectic life, complex people, and tough love truth
* Easter weekend related: Necessary as Rain (Easter Sunday)- https://suno.com/s/iZkihsTM755btlvh
https://tinyurl.com/SubscribeToCTP
CTP Audios: https://tinyurl.com/CTPonBuzzsprout
CTP Videos: https://tinyurl.com/JLDonBITCHUTE
https://tinyurl.com/CTPgear

A Short Story: A Lasting Legacy? book Trailer

Support the show

JLenardDetroit SUBSCRIBE-
Author, Blogger, Podcaster

"GIVE FEEDBACK (no-reply-text (2-way comm: https://JosephMLenard.us/contact))"

CTP (S3EAprSpecial1) What If We Stopped Treating Autism Like One Story
[A VERY SERIOUS EPISODE, RELEASED ON OFTEN FOOLISH DAY, APRIL 1st]
Exploring more of the fascinating intersection of Activism, Community Engagement, Faith / Religion, Human Nature, Politics, Social Issues, and beyond
We talk honestly about what adulthood looks like across the autism spectrum, from high-masking independence to round-the-clock care needs. We also wrestle with misconceptions, co-occurring diagnoses, and the hard ethical gray areas families face when support drops off after childhood.
• April Ratchford’s background as an occupational therapist and as an autistic adult and parent
• Why the autism spectrum includes very different support needs across level 1 to level 3
• What happens as caregivers age and why long-term planning matters
• Autism alongside other conditions such as ADHD, OCD, anxiety, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida
• Autism as a neurological disorder and how that differs from mental health diagnoses
• Late diagnosis, masking, and why “you don’t look autistic” misses the point
• The vaccines question framed through correlation vs causation and environmental factors
• Ethical tradeoffs around future interventions and parental choice
• A practical way to support families who are overwhelmed
https://tinyurl.com/SubscribeToCTP
CTP Audios: https://tinyurl.com/CTPonBuzzsprout
CTP Videos: https://tinyurl.com/JLDonBITCHUTE
https://tinyurl.com/CTPgear

A Short Story: A Lasting Legacy? book Trailer

Support the show

JLenardDetroit SUBSCRIBE-
Author, Blogger, Podcaster

"GIVE FEEDBACK (no-reply-text (2-way comm: https://JosephMLenard.us/contact))"

CTP (S3EMarSpecial10) What If Healing Starts With Creating
Exploring more of the fascinating intersection of Activism, Community Engagement, Faith / Religion, Human Nature, Politics, Social Issues, and beyond
We trade puns and real talk with author Sheila K. Collins about why grief does not move in tidy stages and how art can help us carry loss without shutting down. We explore storytelling, memory, legacy, and creative practices that keep us connected to the people and lives we love.
• the backstory behind “Sheila K.” and why names matter
• growing up in Louisville and how arts communities shape us
• The Art Of Grieving and the spiral model of grief
• why people avoid grief conversations and what to say instead
• using music, movement, crafts, and found objects as creative coping tools
• building rituals for anniversaries and keeping legacy alive
• co-destiny and turning loss into purpose through giving and research
• Interplay improvisation and using humor to make the heavy lighter
https://tinyurl.com/SubscribeToCTP
CTP Audios: https://tinyurl.com/CTPonBuzzsprout
CTP Videos: https://tinyurl.com/JLDonBITCHUTE
https://tinyurl.com/CTPgear

A Short Story: A Lasting Legacy? book Trailer

Support the show

JLenardDetroit SUBSCRIBE-
Author, Blogger, Podcaster

"GIVE FEEDBACK (no-reply-text (2-way comm: https://JosephMLenard.us/contact))"

CTP (S3E145) AI Music continued... Good, Bad, Ugly...
Exploring more of the fascinating intersection of Activism, Community Engagement, Faith / Religion, Human Nature, Politics, Social Issues, and beyond
We follow up on AI music by showing what I’m building with Suno after years away from instruments and recording gear. I share a playlist of AI-generated tracks that range from personal tributes to parodies, plus a few pointed messages about voice, truth, and what can’t be faked live.
• why I moved from physical instruments to Suno AI music creation
• where to find my Suno page and the growing song list (https://tinyurl.com/JLDonSUNO)
• how I use AI for both serious themes and parody songwriting
• why AI voices make live performance unrealistic right now
• “Life and Living” as an open-book message about choices and healing (based on https://tinyurl.com/LifeAndLivingSeries)
• tributes for deployed service members and my dad’s band
• holiday humor with “tear in my green beer” and a Cinco de Mayo party track
• pro-life themes and protecting the most vulnerable
• keeping humor alive through lame puns
• letting people breathe and giving others freedom
• a sports-themed diss track aimed at “Mediocre Max”
• support for law enforcement and first responders in “Back The Blue”
• faith-driven lines about truth and authority (based on https://tinyurl.com/ChristiTutionalistEduSeries)
• “facts and details matter” as a push for context in journalism
https://tinyurl.com/SubscribeToCTP
CTP Audios: https://tinyurl.com/CTPonBuzzsprout
CTP Videos: https://tinyurl.com/JLDonBITCHUTE
https://tinyurl.com/CTPgear

A Short Story: A Lasting Legacy? book Trailer

Support the show

JLenardDetroit SUBSCRIBE-
Author, Blogger, Podcaster

"GIVE FEEDBACK (no-reply-text (2-way comm: https://JosephMLenard.us/contact))"

CTP (S3EMarSpecial9) What If Empowerment Beats Handouts Every Time
Exploring more of the fascinating intersection of Activism, Community Engagement, Faith / Religion, Human Nature, Politics, Social Issues, and beyond
We talk with Elaine Lankford (her husband: aka: LankChevy, LOL) about building She Steps Forward International and why small seed money grants paired with coaching can launch sustainable Christian women-led businesses. We dig into dignity, work ethic, and what real empowerment looks like in the US and across Africa.
• Elaine’s background in Virginia and a long nursing career
• What She Steps Forward International is and who it serves
• The four-part model: conference, group coaching, membership, grants
• Seed money grants at $500 and $1,000 and how eligibility works
• Why “teach them to fish” protects dignity and avoids dependency
• How small grants can trigger creativity and better decisions
• Charging reasonable fees to increase commitment and follow-through
• Lessons from nursing on self-reliance, education, and debt
• Firsthand concerns about socialized medicine and supply shortages abroad
https://tinyurl.com/SubscribeToCTP
CTP Audios: https://tinyurl.com/CTPonBuzzsprout
CTP Videos: https://tinyurl.com/JLDonBITCHUTE
https://tinyurl.com/CTPgear
https://TerrorStrikes.info/charity

A Short Story: A Lasting Legacy? book Trailer

Support the show

JLenardDetroit SUBSCRIBE-
Author, Blogger, Podcaster

"GIVE FEEDBACK (no-reply-text (2-way comm: https://JosephMLenard.us/contact))"

CTP (S3EMarSpecial8) Combat Spy Truth Tests
Exploring more of the fascinating intersection of Activism, Community Engagement, Faith / Religion, Human Nature, Politics, Social Issues, and beyond
We talk with former Army intelligence professional Pete A. Turner about what a “combat spy” really does and why verification matters more than outrage. We break down how target decisions get made, how propaganda hooks people, and why emotional headlines can be a warning sign.
• What “combat spy” means in Army intelligence and how it differs from strategic espionage
• Why commanders demand proof and how a target package is built from multiple intel sources
• How interdiction and counter-smuggling decisions work in practice and why misidentification is taken seriously
• Collateral damage, the fog of war, and what investigations and battle damage assessment are meant to do
• Why “trust but verify” applies to journalism and why anonymous sourcing can erode credibility
• How loaded adjectives and crisis language function as influence operations
• Ukraine, corruption, and the challenge of holding nuance without slipping into propaganda
https://tinyurl.com/SubscribeToCTP
CTP Audios: https://tinyurl.com/CTPonBuzzsprout
CTP Videos: https://tinyurl.com/JLDonBITCHUTE
https://tinyurl.com/CTPgear

A Short Story: A Lasting Legacy? book Trailer

Support the show

JLenardDetroit SUBSCRIBE-
Author, Blogger, Podcaster