I Used To Think...
A podcast about people who were brave enough to change their mind.
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Hey! I'm Pat.
Starting in 2017, I began to change my mind on many things. These changes were accelerated by the pandemic and the events that followed. It was both jarring and freeing to shed the beliefs that I had held onto so tightly to find safety and identity.
I am no longer the socially and politically conservative, evangelical, homeschool kid I once was. To be honest with you, I'm not quite sure what I am now. All I know is that the only constant is change. And the people I respect most in this world are those who aren't afraid of it. This podcast is a mission to find those people and share their story. Because it's OK to change your mind.
Reach out anytime: patricktlee7@gmail.com
Episodes
Monday Oct 31, 2022
Monday Oct 31, 2022
Jordon talks about beginnings of the re-enchantment phase and the reemergence of joy in his own life. He speaks of the importance of relating to the struggles of men and women in the Bible and acknowledging our true state. Only by recognizing our need can we take steps to rid of the things that harm us and begin to choose life.
Monday Oct 31, 2022
Monday Oct 31, 2022
Grocery shopping is a relatively easy task for most of us. Yet after experiencing the loss of his mom and a vigorous academic life in college, Jordon's mental health left him helpless in the cereal aisle. In this episode, Jordon breaks down three stages of growth in his life and the circumstances that led to each.
In a post-pandemic society, many of us have struggled with the loss of a dream or an ideal life. Jordon speaks about how he came to terms with this reality in his own journey and the steps he took to keep moving forward.
References in the episode:
RUF - Reformed University Fellowship (where Jordon and I met during our time at UCLA)
Richard Rohr - Franciscan priest and prominent spirituality author
The Shawshank Redemption - 1994 critically acclaimed film based on the Stephen King novel
"Fyodor, Frodo, and Finding Value" - Episode 3 of this podcast (https://iusedtothink.podbean.com/e/frodo-and-finding-value/)
Quotes:
"Get busy living or get busy dying." - The Shawshank Redemption
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Why do we work?
Jake was faced with this question as he transitioned into college and the workforce. With the help of mentors and good books (and a brief stint as a grocery store butcher) he learned that real freedom in work came through exploring his "why" instead of his "what". He talks about the importance of "showing up" everyday and being consistent in your work and vision. We discuss how rest must be intentional in order for us to not be running on empty.
Books we talked about:
- "Every Good Endeavor" by Tim Keller
- "Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human" by John Mark Comer
- "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" by John Mark Comer
I highly recommend checking out Jake's videos and content: jakedriscoll.com
Wednesday Jul 20, 2022
Wednesday Jul 20, 2022
My friend Josh grew up in Hong Kong - a country which frequently found itself caught in between wars and political tensions. He was a firm believer in democratic socialism and was anti-gun. After moving to the United States for university, his views on government and politics began to shift.
Josh talks about how his desire to understand his rights in the States led him to diligent study of the U.S. Constitution and American history. He gives his take on the tensions between Hong Kong and China and the future of the pro-democratic movement in Hong Kong. Josh gives his reasons for supporting civilian gun ownership and how we can navigate the conversation of gun violence in the U.S. today.
Thursday May 05, 2022
Thursday May 05, 2022
Easton remembers the first time she became aware of her body. After hearing a devastating comment from a fellow classmate in 2nd grade, she began wrestling with deep insecurities over her body image. She carried these insecurities into high school as she started dating for the first time and struggled with persistent acne.
She talks about her life as a collegiate athlete and how it affected her relationship with exercise and health. The episode ends with an intriguing discussion about social media and modern culture's view of beauty.
Easton's story communicates a powerful message: Where we focus our attention and the words of our community, can make all the difference in how we view ourselves as humans - both body and spirit.
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
When Erik was 12 years old, he got really sick. Like really sick. His adolescence was characterized by constant vomiting, isolation, and getting lost in books. After surviving thoughts of suicide in high school, he began a long journey of rest and rebellion. Erik tells us how timeless works of literature and the characters within them has helped him to realize a tremendous truth: Loving others is a result of believing that you yourself are loved.
References:
- "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
- "Inferno" by Dante Alighieri
- "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis
- "Art and Faith: A Theology of Making" by Makoto Fujimura
- "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Part 2 of Episode 2. Miranda talks about her parents' divorce and God's loyal commitment to her well-being.
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Cruel Puppetmaster. Distant Recruiter. This is who Miranda assumed God was for a lot of her life. Heaven was a dilemma, because she wanted to die, but she didn't want to meet God.
Miranda talks about how battles with self-worth in 4th grade, her parents' divorce, and an inspiring high school teacher helped her realize that she never gave God a chance to properly introduce Himself.
Miranda's Blog: https://thatnewdirection.blogspot.com/p/thatnewdirection.html