Best Shawn Isley Podcasts (2024)

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Meet Common Good Candidate Abby Klomparens for State Representative (District 86) 1:02:48

2M ago1:02:48

1:02:48

Send us a text Meet an extraordinary-ordinary Michigander committed to the Common Good for West Michigan. Abby Klomparens for State Representative in District 86 includes the Greater Holland area and portions of Allegan County. In this episode you'll learn how to properly pronounce another Dutch last-name (Klomp-ar-ens), why the election of former …

1
"After two years of far-right rule in a Michigan county, one chance to change it" - with The Washington Post 53:19

2M ago53:19

53:19

Send us a text Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Washington Post reporter Patrick Marley. Patrick writes about voting issues in the Upper Midwest and wrote a series of stories covering how divisive, Trump-style politics came to Ottawa County through Ottawa Impact. In this episode you'll learn about the Washington Post's…

1
2024 Election Guide: What Happened to my Ottawa GOP? 1:59

3M ago1:59

1:59

Send us a text Over the previous year I've had the privilege of being in conversation with a handful of well established Republicans in Ottawa County to help me understand the state of local politics. The central question that I wanted to answer — and understand from their point of view — was: What happened to my Ottawa GOP? Support the show Follow…

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Economics Guru Dr. Paul Isley talks about West Michigan's Economy 59:12

3M ago59:12

59:12

Send us a text Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Dr. Paul Isely the Associate Dean and Professor of Economics for the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University. For nearly a decade Dr. Isley has become somewhat of an economics guru in West Michigan as employers have used his historically accurate econ…

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Meet Common Good Candidate Doug Zylstra running for Ottawa County Board of Commissioners in District 3 (Holland) 1:07:18

3M ago1:07:18

1:07:18

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Doug Zylstra. Doug is the incumbent Ottawa County Board Commissioner representing District 3 (Holland) as a Democrat serving in his 3rd, 2-year term. In this episode you'll learn why it was important for Doug to foster dialogue with the Ottawa Impact Commi…

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Live! with Common Good Candidate Chris Crothers for County Commissioner in District 4 (Zeeland) 33:45

4M ago33:45

33:45

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Chris Crothers. Chris is running for Ottawa County Commissioner in District 4 (Zeeland) as a Democrat. In this final segment from our live podcast event in Holland you'll learn how Chris started as a home brewer then started his own brewery, why he's runni…

1
Live! Sarah Leach discusses her recent firing, Ottawa Impact, and the crisis of local journalism 52:22

4M ago52:22

52:22

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Sarah Leach. Sarah is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and previously the regional editor for Gannett Media leading The Holland Sentinel and 14 other Michigan papers. During this second segment from our live podcast event in Holland you'll learn about…

1
Live! Nick Brock and Doug Pagitt talk about their shared experience along the US-Mexico Border 1:04:18

4M ago1:04:18

1:04:18

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Doug Pagitt the executive director of Vote Common Good. Nick and Doug both went to the US-Mexico border in Arizona and Mexico and talk about their shared experience. During this segment from our live event in Holland you'll learn about Nick and Doug's firs…

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Meet Common Good Candidate Marcia Mansaray running for State Representative (85th District) 1:05:44

4M ago1:05:44

1:05:44

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Marcia Mansaray, the Democratic candidate running for State Representative in Michigan’s 85th District. Marcia was the Deputy Health Officer for Ottawa County’s Department of Public Health and emerged as a courageous voice for the community when she pushed…

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Educating Voters about Michigan's Election Process, with the Kent County Clerk's Office 55:55

5M ago55:55

55:55

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus-Lyons and Chief Deputy Clerk Robert Macomber. The two, both Republicans, have been educating voters about Michigan's new election laws and helping them overcome obstacles to election misinformation. In this episode you'll l…

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Meet Josh Brugger of Grand Haven (District 10) running to return Ottawa County to "boring, reliable and predictable" governance 1:21:01

5M ago1:21:01

1:21:01

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Josh Brugger “the man running to fill Roger Bergman's shoes in Ottawa County. Brugger is running as a Republican for the District 10 seat on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners after several controversial decisions were made by Ottawa Impact. Josh bel…

1
Meet Sarah Matwiejczyk running for Ottawa County Prosecutor 52:55

5M ago52:55

52:55

Send us a text Hey Everybody! Nick had the privilege of being in conversation with Sarah Matwiejczyk. Sarah is Ottawa County’s Chief Assistant Prosecutor and is running for Ottawa County Prosecutor as a Republican. In this episode you'll learn how to pronounce Sarah's last name (Ma-toy-sic!), her opinion on what's happened with the Ottawa GOP, what…

1
Meet Common Good Candidate Phil Kuyers of Grand Haven Twp. (District 9) running to defeat Ottawa Impact 56:42

5M ago56:42

56:42

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick had the privilege of being in conversation with Phil Kuyers the former Ottawa County Commissioner who was first elected to the commission in 2000 and served as board chair for three years. Phil, a Republican, is running again for the District 9 seat (Grand Haven Twp.), which he represented for more than two decad…

1
How to Defend Democracy from its Christian Enemies, with Christian Ethicist David Gushee 1:06:12

5M ago1:06:12

1:06:12

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick had the privilege of being in conversation with David Gushee the author of a new book called Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies. The Rev. Prof. Dr. David Gushee is Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University and is one of America's leading Christian ethicists. In this e…

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Meet Common Good Candidate, Becky Patrick, of District 8 (Allendale Twp.) running to defeat Ottawa Impact 54:38

6M ago54:38

54:38

Send us a text Hey, West Michigan! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Becky Patrick of Allendale Twp. Becky is running to defeat Ottawa Commissioner / Vice-Chairperson and co-founder of Ottawa Impact, Sylvia Rhodea, in District 8 during the August 6th primary. In this episode you'll learn why Becky was one one of the mos…

1
Satan enters the chat (again) after giving the invocation at the OCBOC meeting 1:01:33

6M ago1:01:33

1:01:33

Send us a text Hey, West Michigan! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with lifelong resident of Ottawa County Reverend Luis Cypher, a minister of Satan and co-head of the Satanic Temple of West Michigan. Reverend Cypher gave the invocation at the April 23rd Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting. In this episode we lear…

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Meet Jordan Jorritsma the Republican Commissioner candidate in District 2 (Holland) 1:03:25

6M ago1:03:25

1:03:25

Send us a text Hey, West Michigan! Shawn and I had the privilege of being in conversation with Jordan Jorritsma the Republican candidate running for Ottawa County Commissioner in District 2 (Holland). Jordan is running to defeat Ottawa Impact Commissioner Lucy Ebel in the August primary election if she wins her May 7th Recall Election. In this epis…

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Is the U.S./Mexico border as dangerous and chaotic as its made out to be? 50:19

6M ago50:19

50:19

Send us a text Hey, West Michigan! Shawn and I had the privilege of being in conversation with Doug Pagitt, Executive Director of Vote Common Good. In 2021 Doug traveled 3,000 miles along the U.S./Mexico border with his bicycle and experienced first-hand that the border was not as dangerous nor chaotic as its made out to be. Wanting people to exper…

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Your Opinion - Ebel should participate in voter forum so constituents have all the facts 4:17

6M ago4:17

4:17

Send us a text "On May 7, voters in District 2 will have the opportunity to vote in the special recall election for their county commissioner. I am running against Ottawa Impact-affiliated commissioner Lucy Ebel. Recently, Commissioner Ebel distributed literature within the district containing several false claims and misrepresentations." - read by…

1
Meet Common Good Candidate Mark Northrup of District 5 running to defeat Ottawa Impact 1:01:07

6M ago1:01:07

1:01:07

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Mayor Mark Northrup of Hudsonville. Mark is running to defeat Commissioner Board Chair and leader of Ottawa Impact Joe Moss in District 5 during the August 6th primary. And if you know anything about Ottawa County politics the primary election is where mor…

1
LIVE! with Common Good Candidate Chris Kleinjans of Holland 47:58

7M ago47:58

47:58

Send us a text Check out this clip we pulled from our LIVE! event in Holland. Chris Kleinjans is a Democrat running against Ottawa Impact Commissioner Lucy Ebel during a special Recall Election occurring on Tuesday, May 7. Chris is also a Common Good Candidate. - Learn more about our Common Good Candidate platform Support the show Follow us on Face…

1
"Your Opinion" with Mayor Mark Northrup of Hudsonville 22:42

7M ago22:42

22:42

Send us a text Check out this 20-minute clip we pulled from our LIVE! event in Holland. Mayor Mark Northrup discusses why Joe Moss' leadership with Ottawa Impact has led to a train wreck in Ottawa County. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primaryBy Vote Common Good: West Michigan

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Common Good Conversations LIVE! 1:42:35

7M ago1:42:35

1:42:35

Send us a text Hey Everybody! Get ready for an episode packed with laughs and learning... Nick and Shawn had a great time with a live audience where they laughed about their father in-law wanting to try nasal irrigation, debating the correct way to pronounce the grocery store name "Meijer", and Nick testing for a red belt in karate. Kia! Nick and S…

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Upcoming Event: Join Common Good Conversations LIVE in 1 week! 15:04

8M ago15:04

15:04

Send us a text *This is a shortened promo from our previous promo episode -- A few years ago brothers-in-law Nick and Shawn started doing the unthinkable at family gatherings – talking about politics and faith at the dinner table. While at times tense and cautious those conversations were filled with curiosity, nuance, grace, and humor. Wanting to …

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Special Episode: The Soul of Politics, co-sponsored by VCG-WM 1:35:35

8M ago1:35:35

1:35:35

Send us a text *A live event recorded at Port 393 in Holland on March 10. -- How can we move from a politics of fear to a politics of faith? A discussion with local panelists Dr. Fred Johnson, Professor of Political Science, Hope College Sarah Leach, Editor of the Holland Sentinel Christy Berghoef, Communication Consultant Rev. Dr. Jared Cramer, Re…

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Upcoming Event: The Soul of Politics, Sunday March 10, with Rev. Bryan Berghoef 1:14:10

8M ago1:14:10

1:14:10

Send us a text Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with the Rev. Bryan Berghoef pastor at Holland UCC to discuss an upcoming event called The Soul of Politics happening March 10 at Port 393 in Holland at 3pm. The event will feature a panel discussion with Dr. Fred Johnson from Hope College, Sarah Leach from the Holland Sentine…

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Upcoming Event: Join Common Good Conversations LIVE! March 24 in Holland 21:04

8M ago21:04

21:04

Send us a text A few years ago brothers-in-law Nick and Shawn started doing the unthinkable at family gatherings – talking about politics and faith at the dinner table. While at times tense and cautious those conversations were filled with curiosity, nuance, grace, and humor. Wanting to lean into that experience they decided to start a podcast. Com…

1
Your Opinion - "The Common Good" 16:50

8M ago16:50

16:50

Send us a text Written and read by Lynn Smith of Holland. "It’s not bad luck that we’re living through the greatest threat to American democracy since the Civil War. Rather, it’s a privilege to live during a time when our actions have immense consequences and we have a unique opportunity to display American common good … not only in our country, bu…

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The national and local realties of immigration 1:10:50

9M ago1:10:50

1:10:50

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with David Lee and Bill Trenary from Lighthouse Immigration Advocates in Holland. Lighthouse provides direct immigration legal services to thousands of immigrants and refugees and advocates on behalf of immigrants and refugees on the local, state, and federal l…

1
Third time's a charm for funding the Patmos Library 1:00:32

9M ago1:00:32

1:00:32

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Tricia Kryda and Carrie Irwin of Jamestown Township. Tricia and Carrie are passionate advocates for the Patmos Library and helped to pass a funding millage for it after being twice defunded. In this episode you'll learn about some all-time favorite books, …

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A priest's religious discrimination lawsuit and the creation of a Christian coalition in Ottawa County 1:08:57

9M ago1:08:57

1:08:57

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Rev. Jared Cramer a priest in the Episcopal Church currently serving as Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Grand Haven, MI. Jared also sits on the Steering Committee of the Ottawa Coalition of Unifying Christians (OCUC), a coalition of congregations …

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Why did a Satanist "enter the chat" about Ottawa Impact? 1:00:45

9M ago1:00:45

1:00:45

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Bender Bones an ordained minister from the Satanic Temple of West Michigan. Bender gained attention last year for his public comments at an Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting to address Ottawa Impact's Resolution to become a so-called Constitutio…

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Your Opinion: "Ottawa County Fiasco Almost Beyond Disbelief" 7:59

10M ago7:59

7:59

Send us a text Dale Wyngarden, a resident of Holland, shares his opinion on why the fiasco between the Ottawa County Commission and Administration is almost beyond belief. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primaryBy Vote Common Good: West Michigan

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Do you live in the Zeeland area and want to get politically involved? 53:38

10M ago53:38

53:38

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Chris Tanner from the Zeeland Area Action Committee. ZAAC! is a group of non-partisan citizens educating and informing the Zeeland Area about local politics and Ottawa Impact. In this episode you'll learn about being a Star Wars nerd, the positive influenc…

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Meet Christian Kleinjans the candidate running to replace Ottawa Impact Commissioner Lucy Ebel 1:00:02

10M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Christian Kleinjans the Democrat running against Ottawa Impact Commissioner Lucy Ebel in Ottawa County's District 2. This recall election will take place on Tuesday, May 7. In this episode you'll learn what a recall election is, why Christian is running fo…

1
Do you live in Grand Haven, Ferrysburg or Spring Lake Township and want to get politically involved? 52:14

10M ago52:14

52:14

Send us a text Hey, Everybody! Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Karen Obits and Cindy Spielmaker from the Ottawa North Tri-Cities Action Committee. ONTRAC is a nonpartisan, grassroots political action committee dedicated to promoting responsible governance, ethical conduct, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and incl…

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You Could Run for Office! Seriously...You Can Do It. 55:54

11M ago55:54

55:54

Send us a text Nick talks with political campaign expert Robb Ryerse about his new online training course called You Could Run for Office. Nick and Rob discuss how ordinary and extraordinary people can - and should! - run for office. They also discuss the proper role of chips on sandwiches and the biblical theology of smooth and crunchy peanut butt…

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Why is a 16th century document inspiring Ottawa Impact? 55:07

11M ago55:07

55:07

Send us a text Nick talks with Anna Rosensweig, associate professor of French and the Director of the Graduate Program in Visual and Cultural Studies at the University of Rochester, about why a 16th-century tradition called the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates is attracting activists on the Christian right - including Ottawa Impact. Show note: Wh…

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What does 16th century Christian Resistance and Rebellion have to do with 21st century politics? 1:01:06

11M ago1:01:06

1:01:06

Send us a text Nick talks with Glenn Moots, Professor and Department Chair of Political Science and Philosophy at Northwood University, about Christian resistance and rebellion through the lens of the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates, and how to properly understand it so as to not cause undue strife in the community. Show Note: Resistance and Reb…

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Your Opinion: "Ottawa Impact: Do the politics matter if the county is left broke?" 12:23

12M ago12:23

12:23

Send us a text Cassandra Lybrink pragmatically explains the political situation regarding Ottawa Impact and how it effects the entire county. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primaryBy Vote Common Good: West Michigan

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How can hip-hop make our communities better? 45:43

12M ago45:43

45:43

Send us a text Nick and Shawn talk with Monk Matthaeus, Co-Founder and Vice President for the non-profit Hip Hop Association of Advancement and Education, about why hip hop is being used to transform communities; and what it's like to be a white hip hop artist in a predominately black hip hop culture. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote …

1
Why is the Washington Post covering the politics of Ottawa County? 50:55

12M ago50:55

50:55

Send us a text Nick and Shawn talk with Greg Jaffe of the Washington Post about the people and politics of Ottawa County; moving forward and backward at the same time and in the same place; and how people should discern where to receive their news. Show Notes: - Articles Greg has written about Ottawa County Support the show Follow us on Facebook at…

1
Your Opinion: "Wanted: Wisdom and Experience" 10:44

12M ago10:44

10:44

Send us a text Barbara Mezeske explains that when it comes to the leadership of Ottawa Impact choosing leaders, character and ideology count. But wisdom and experience should count, too. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primaryBy Vote Common Good: West Michigan

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What is Christian Nationalism? with Doug Pagitt of Vote Common Good 1:08:00

12M ago1:08:00

1:08:00

Send us a text Nick and Shawn have a conversation with Doug Pagitt, Executive Director, of Vote Common Good about how to talk with those who share different political perspectives, what Christian Nationalism is and how to discuss it without fear mongering. Episode Notes: To attend the Thursday, November 30th Confronting Christian Nationalism event …

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Why is the Holland Sentinel covering Ottawa Impact so much? 47:04

1y ago47:04

47:04

Send us a text Nick and Shawn talk with journalist Sarah Leach from the Holland Sentinel about keeping up with the chaotic and frenzied pace of Ottawa Impact, which Commissioner she'd most like to interview, and how to become a discerning reader of the news. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary…

1
Your Opinion: "Veterans Need the Truth, not Platitudes" 8:01

1y ago8:01

8:01

Send us a text Retired Navy Veteran Douglas J. Vrieland shares his disappointment about Ottawa Impact's involvement with Veteran Affairs Services in Ottawa County and encourages local veterans to get involved in the political process. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary…

1
Your Opinion: "A Surprising Thank You to Ottawa Impact" 12:38

1y ago12:38

12:38

Send us a text A Surprising Thank You to Ottawa Impact read by the author, Marcia Mansaray, Deputy Health Officer/VP at Ottawa County Department of Public Health, and a short Q&A with Nick Brock. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primaryBy Vote Common Good: West Michigan

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What was President Ford's Virtue-Anchored Leadership? 46:18

1y ago46:18

46:18

Send us a text Nick and Shawn talk with Jeff Polet, Director of the Ford Leadership Forum at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, about virtue-anchored leadership, strengthening democracy, and working together for the common good. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary…

1
What is Latin American's United for Progress? 57:58

1y ago57:58

57:58

Send us a text Johnny Rodriguez, Executive Director of LAUP, chats with Nick and Shawn about deciding against gang violence as a teen, the importance of Latino leadership in the community, and questions Ottawa County Commissioner Lucy Ebel for trying to "pimp" the Latino community. For more information about our work visit Vote Common Good: West Mi…

1
What Happened to my Republican Party? with Commissioner Roger Bergman and Georgetown Twp. Trustee Becky Steele 58:33

1y ago58:33

58:33

Send us a text Ottawa County Commissioner, Roger Bergman (R), and Georgetown Township Trustee, Becky Steele (R) chat with Nick and Shawn about being Republicans in Ottawa County, the negative influence of Ottawa Impact, and looking for Unicorns. For more information on our work visit Vote Common Good: West Michigan Support the show Follow us on Fac…

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Shawn Isley Podcasts

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