I Used To Think...

🇯🇵 Special Episode: Rickey Visits Japan for the First Time

Our friend Rickey takes a life changing trip to Japan. We ask him about his expectations beforehand and document his reactions throughout the trip.
Topics we discuss:
- What is best convenience store in Japan?
- What is your impression of the Japanese people?
- Best food in Japan
- The amazing toilets in Japan
- Animal cafe experience
- Japanese marketing and advertisements
- Difference between Japanese and American fashion
 
Reach out to Pat:
PATRICKTLEE7@GMAIL.COM

16 | Doubting God's Existence, Evangelism, and Being a Gen-Z Christian

In 2018, Tori was on the path to becoming a full-time missionary when the story broke that John Allen Chau, an young American missionary, was killed off the coast of North Sentinel Island by indigenous people he was trying to evangelize. Chau was determined to reach the island even though it was strictly off limits to all outsiders. This event gained global attention and greatly disturbed Tori. She began a journey of doubt and an unraveling of her worldview. In this episode we discuss the following topics:
Discovering faith by reading books written by atheists
Is it possible to be a Christian and not have certainty about God's existence?
How should Christians evangelize, keeping in mind Christianity's historical connection to colonialism?
What are other ways the Gospel can be presented other than Jesus dying for sins?
Does being a Christian simply mean assenting to a list religious concepts?
Practicing Christianity because it leads to human flourishing, not because it makes sense intellectually
The difference between what Gen-Z is looking for in Christianity and what past generations looked for
References:
"The Mission" documentary about Chau by National Geographic (https://films.nationalgeographic.com/the-mission)
The God Delusion book by famous atheist Richard Dawkins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_God_Delusion)
"This Cultural Moment" podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/5vc4AILCeO1HDAQV8jE8J4)
Surprised by Hope book by theologian N.T. Wright (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2319645.Surprised_by_Hope)
Contact Pat:
DM me on Instagram! @iusedtothinkpodcast
Email: PATRICKTLEE7@GMAIL.COM

15 | Leadership, Isolation, and Making Friends as an Adult ft. Angela Lee

Angela consistently found herself in positions of leadership throughout her life. From leading ministries at church, to becoming head pastor while working as the Executive Director for a non-profit. But when birthdays and holidays rolled around each year, she looked around and realized that that no one truly knew the real Angela.
Angela talks with us about how leadership can be isolating by nature and the importance of developing authentic friendships with people who recognize your value apart from your work. 
 
The podcast's new Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/iusedtothinkpodcast/
 
Discover more about Harambee Ministries:
https://www.harambeeministries.org/
Give to Harambee: https://harambeeministriesca-bloom.kindful.com/?campaign=1274146
 
About Angela Lee:
Angela Lee is a native East Coast kid but is happy to now call California home. Angela resides in Pasadena with her husband Paul, her 13-year-old bonus daughter Lizzie, 4-year-old, Justise (pronounced “justice”), and 3 year old, Ayla (like Kayla). Angela graduated from the University of Delaware with her degree in Human Services with a concentration in Clinical Services. She went on and applied her passion for youth by working with as a Counselor with Communities in Schools, Education Director for the Boys & Girls Club, and a Program Director for YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.
Angela has served in ministry, bi-vocationally at first, and eventually full time for the last 13 years. In 2015, she moved to California to serve as a Junior High Pastor at Saddleback Church and in 2017 moved on to a Pastoral Position at Fellowship Monrovia where she has served and preached the last 6 years.
In January 2022, Angela responded to the call to neighborhood ministry which led her to now also serving as Executive Director at Harambee Ministries in Northwest Pasadena.
Angela’s family is bold and diverse with her father who is African American and her mother who is Puerto Rican. She is the oldest of four children and credits her parents for fostering her love for others and her strong commitment to service. Since being charged, by God, with raising Justise and Ayla, Angela has been inspired to continue her journey into racial justice and reconciliation and what it means to raise Black/Puerto Rican/Korean girls in America amidst the current cultural climate. She is a wife, mom, sister, pastor, preacher, friend, surviving on coffee and Peloton rides. She’s the most excited to add her newest title, “Auntie & Godmother” to her newest nephew in Minnesota.
Angela is passionate about Jesus, people, mental health, justice, reconciliation, Disneyland, and yummy food.
 
Transcript for this episode: https://share.descript.com/view/cOP4yabQrZd
 

14 | Visiting India, Ethnocentrism, and Population Growth

What does the typical human lifestyle and experience look like on Earth? When Caleb visited India for the first time, he had a feeling he wasn't in Kansas anymore. The radical differences in culture, food, personal space, views of marriage, road etiquette, and language caused him to think about whether the American experience was common or not.
We discuss how over 50% of human beings live in either China, India, or the continent of Africa, and the implications that has on expectations, lifestyle, and happiness. Although ethnocentrism is often presented negatively, it is actually neutral in definition and being aware of it can help us more accurately understand other cultures. In addition, with an awareness of ethnocentrism, we talk about what makes Christianity a truly universal religion and the danger of conflating political agendas with Christian values.
 
Notes & Links from Caleb:
Men holding hands in India is not romantic or sexual. But it would be perceived that way in America.
https://scroll.in/article/889972/a-british-photographer-captures-the-very-indian-phenomenon-of-men-non-romantically-holding-hands
Horn honking in India - rampant - way of letting people know you are there.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-do-indians-honk-so-much-ca-nitin-brahma
Matrimonial Advertisements in Indian newspapers -- Marriage is viewed as more social contract / transactional
https://www.tribuneindia.com/classified/grommswanted
Life Expectancy:  https://ourworldindata.org/life-expectancy
1800-1900 (19th Century):  Average global life expectancy was 29 years old.
1950:  Average global life expectancy was 46 years old.  USA average was 68 years old.
2015: Average global life expectancy was 71 years old.  USA average was 79 years old.
Womens vs. mens train cars in Delhi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women-only_passenger_car#:~:text=Across%20India%2C%20all%20long%2Ddistance,are%20also%20allowed%20to%20travel.
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/04/04/472997605/why-i-love-riding-on-the-women-only-car-on-delhis-metro
 
Americans Over 65 Years of Age:  https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/population
1900:  2.2 Million
2009:  39.7 Million
2019:  54.1 Million
2040 (Projected):  80.8 Million
2060 (Projected):  90.7 Million
 
 
Population Growth (Global):
0000:  212 Million
1600:  646 Million
1800:  1 Billion
1900:  1.34 Billion
1950:  2.82 Billion
2000:  6.00 Billion
2022:  8.00 Billion
1.4 Billion - India 18%
1.4 Billion - China 18%
1.4 Billion - African Continent 18%
740 Million - European Continent 9.5%
330 Million - United States 4%
2037:  9.00 Billion (projected by UN)
Over half of the growth between 2022 and 2050 will be in Africa.
 
 
Research Links:
Percentage of Americans that View America as the best:
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/29/majority-of-americans-say-us-is-one-of-the-greatest-countries-in-the-world/
 
Transcript to this episode with Caleb: https://share.descript.com/view/pKliP76e2Bz
Pat's Contact: patricktlee7@gmail.com

What I’ve learned these past two years

Now I think...I can start a podcast ;)
Thank you, thank you, thank you for listening! New episode this Tuesday morning, and many more to come!
 
The pod's new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@iusedtothinkpodcast
Do you know someone who would be a good guest on the show? Reach out to me! 
patricktlee7@gmail.com

13 | Curiosity, Control, and Honoring Others’ Agency

What is the difference between control and influence? Which trait does a good leader exhibit?
Steven wrestled with these questions after coming to terms with his own failures as a pastor, business leader, father, and husband. Growing up with a natural ability to teach and explain, Steven realized that he had the skills to influence others. Yet the line between control and influence was difficult to walk. In this episode, we talk about the concept of "honoring others' agency" and how curiosity (rather than control) is one of the most powerful ways to help those around us in their journey to reach their full potential. 
 
Topics:
Reframing
Selling
Hagar and Ishmael
Being a good father
Listening to respond vs. Listening to learn
References:
 Clarity Focus Heart Coaching & Consulting: http://clarityfocusheart.com/my-story/ (Steven's leadership coaching non-profit)
Refocused Relationships: https://refocusedrelationships.com/ (Steven's ministry for LGBTQ+ members and their parents)
"Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams
"Sell Me This Pen" video with Jordan Belfort, the original Wolf of Wall Street: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbQPxhIcFaQ
"The moral roots of liberal and conservatives" TED Talk with Jonathan Haidt: https://www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_the_moral_roots_of_liberals_and_conservatives?language=en
Transcript for Episode 13 with Steven: https://share.descript.com/view/zYHp2AdpQaj
Pat's Contact Info: patricktlee7@gmail.com
 

12 | Working as a Refugee Officer, Loving our Neighbor, and the Bible

After law school, Gabby began working as an asylum officer for the U.S. government. Her experience moving from country to country as a child led her to seek a career in which she could work with immigrants. As she worked domestically with refugees seeking asylum in the U.S., she was disheartened by the wealthier and more fortunate refugees who took advantage of the immigration system.
The Department of Homeland Security later moved Gabby to the role of refugee officer, sending her to less developed countries to interview refugees directly in their countries of refuge. She heard stories of suffering and loss. Her view refugees began to change as she saw the true experience of the majority of refugees.
At the same time, Gabby started reading the Bible from cover to cover. She read verses about loving our neighbor and asked herself, "Who is my neighbor?" It became clear to her, that according to God, the foreigner and the sojourner were her neighbors - and that God had perfectly placed her in a position to love them.
"When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God." - Leviticus 19:9-10 NIV
 
Topics mentioned in this interview:
Syrian refugee crisis
Immigration and the Bible
Growing up as an immigrant
ISIS
Muslim culture
God and the Israelites
Loving your neighbor
The poor and the sojourner
Travel
Contact Pat: patricktlee7@gmail.com
Transcript for this episode with Gabby: https://share.descript.com/view/alZafgUjAXV

11 | Dominican Republic, Catholicism, and Finding Community

Diana is from the Dominican Republic. She moved to the United States for college and became one of (approximately) ten Dominicans to ever attend UCLA. Diana saw this journey as an opportunity to start fresh - she associated America with happiness and Disneyland. However, her depression continued as she struggled to find community in a new environment.
During her time at school, her connection to her childhood Catholic faith began to change. She began attending a Christian club with roots in different traditions and found a community to belong to. She also discovered the role of love within Christianity and the love of God for the individual as well as the collective.
 
I now provide the transcript to episodes! Click here for Ep. 11 with Diana: https://share.descript.com/view/tKvUMbGrFzL
Contact Pat: patricktlee7@gmail.com