A few years ago brothers-in-law Nick Brock and Shawn Skinner 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. Common Good Conversations is a weekly opportunity for Nick and Shawn to talk about the politics and faith of West Michigan by being curious, nuanced, ...
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"After two years of far-right rule in a Michigan county, one chance to change it" - with The Washington Post
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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…
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Feature: Celebrating Women's Equality Day!
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In this LifeBeat feature, host Anna Pluymert, Director of Education and Communications, and Danny Earl, Content Contributor and Events Coordinator, take a deep dive into the history of Women·s Equality Day, including prominent women who helped pioneer the women·s suffrage movement like Susan B. Anthony. Anna and Danny compare the original feminists…
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Fall is in the Air: Back-to-School and General Election
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In this LifeBeat episode, host Anna Pluymert, Director of Education and Communications, and Danny Earl, Content Contributor and Events Coordinator, provide information on MiGen Leads to help students gear up for back-to-school. They also provide information on RLM·s Life Lessons, 13 lessons that teachers can use to instill the value of life. Anna a…
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Prolife Candidates Win BIG, New Poll Shows Alarming Support for Euthanasia
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In this LifeBeat episode, host Anna Pluymert, Director of Education/Communications, and Danny Earl, Content Contributor and Events Coordinator, highlight a new Gallup poll shows Americans support Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide at an alarming. They also discuss new stats that illustrate that 61% of women felt coerced into an abortion. The…
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2024 Election Guide: What Happened to my Ottawa GOP?
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Send us a Text Message. 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 Sh…
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Economics Guru Dr. Paul Isley talks about West Michigan's Economy
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Send us a Text Message. 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 accu…
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In this Faith in Life LifeBeat feature, Ken Stults, RLM Faith Outreach Coordinator, sits down with Ralph Rebandt II to chat about the role of Christian principles and the Scriptures in our Republic's founding and our country's founding documents. They also both emphasized the importance of getting out the vote. Ralph Rebandt II was the founding pas…
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Meet Common Good Candidate Doug Zylstra running for Ottawa County Board of Commissioners in District 3 (Holland)
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Send us a Text Message. 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 Imp…
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2023 Michigan Abortion Report: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
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In this LifeBeat episode, host Anna Pluymert, Director of Education/Communications, and Danny Earl, Content Contributor and Events Coordinator, welcome you to Right to Life of Michigan·s 300th episode where they discuss 10 alarming trends found within the 2023 Michigan abortion report. They also remind Michiganders to get out there and vote, starti…
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Feature: All Things Elections with Emily Kroll
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In this month's feature, host Anna Pluymert, Director of Education/Communications, and Danny Earl, Content Contributor and Events Coordinator, sit down with Emily Kroll, RLM Political Action Committee (PAC) Director to discuss all things elections. The Michigan Primary Election is in full swing with voting taking place through absentee ballots and …
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Vote for Common-Sense Leadership this Primary Election
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In this episode of LifeBeat, host Anna Pluymert, RLM Director of Education/Communications, and Danny Earl, RLM Content Contributor and Events Coordinator, sit down to chat about a new, radical coalition created to push state abortion referendums and mobilize voters to vote proabortion. They also provide the next primary election voting dates, which…
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Live! with Common Good Candidate Chris Crothers for County Commissioner in District 4 (Zeeland)
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Send us a Text Message. 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 h…
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Live! Nick Brock and Doug Pagitt talk about their shared experience along the US-Mexico Border
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Send us a Text Message. 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 Do…
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Live! Sarah Leach discusses her recent firing, Ottawa Impact, and the crisis of local journalism
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Send us a Text Message. 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 le…
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Elections Have Consequences: Informed Consent Halted, Taxpayer Dollars Threatened
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In this LifeBeat episode, hosts Anna Pluymert and Daniel Earl provide you with the latest up-to-date prolife news about Michigan laws and the abortion pill. We discuss the recent lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of the safeguards using tax dollars to pay for other people·s abortions. We also discuss the recent injunction that was place…
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Meet Common Good Candidate Marcia Mansaray running for State Representative (85th District)
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Send us a Text Message. 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 s…
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In this Faith in Life LifeBeat feature, Ken Stults, RLM Faith Outreach Coordinator, sits down with Dr. Tom West from Hillsdale College. Dr. West is a Professor of Politics at Hillsdale and is an expert on the Founders of the US and the founding documents. A variety of topics were discussed including the understanding that our Founders had of the im…
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Celebrating the Two-Year Anniversary of Dobbs with Dr. Catherine Stark
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We had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Catherine Stark to discuss the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision, overturning Roe v. Wade. Dr. Catherine Stark is a board-certified OB/GYN, who has been a practicing prolife physician for 30 years in Michigan. Throughout her career, she has worked with several prolife pregnancy medical centers …
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Feature: Facing the Reality of Life After an Abortion
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In this LifeBeat feature, we take a deep dive into a recent editorial written by comedian, Grace Campbell. Grace, a 29-year-old pro-choice woman from the UK, wrote an editorial in the Guardian describing the immense pain and guilt she felt after taking the abortion pill. She questions why the negative side effects of abortion aren't talked about en…
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2024 Primary Election Endorsements: Vote to Protect Parental Consent!
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In this LifeBeat episode, we review the resources available for the 2024 Primary Election, including the RLM-PAC endorsements that were announced this week. We also discuss how parental rights are still under attack, especially in Caledonia, Michigan where the school board is considering allowing teachers and staff to aid students with abortions. F…
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Educating Voters about Michigan's Election Process, with the Kent County Clerk's Office
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Send us a Text Message. 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…
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Meet Josh Brugger of Grand Haven (District 10) running to return Ottawa County to "boring, reliable and predictable" governance
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Send us a Text Message. 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.…
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Meet Sarah Matwiejczyk running for Ottawa County Prosecutor
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Send us a Text Message. 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 …
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Meet Common Good Candidate Phil Kuyers of Grand Haven Twp. (District 9) running to defeat Ottawa Impact
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Send us a Text Message. 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 …
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In this LifeBeat episode, we congratulate the four winners of Right to Life of Michigan's 35th Annual State Oratory Contest. We also provide an update on the Northland Family Planning Center v. Nessel lawsuit that threatens informed consent including the 24-hour waiting period. We end the episode with a shoutout to all the amazing pregnancy resourc…
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How to Defend Democracy from its Christian Enemies, with Christian Ethicist David Gushee
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Send us a Text Message. 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. …
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Right to Life of Michigan's Faith Outreach Coordinator, Ken Stults, lays out where the prolife movement is heading and how the faith community can guide it in the right direction. Ken discusses the challenges that Michigan faces currently with protective laws getting repealed and he reminds prolifers that one election can impact generations to come…
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Meet Common Good Candidate, Becky Patrick, of District 8 (Allendale Twp.) running to defeat Ottawa Impact
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Send us a Text Message. 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 o…
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Showering Motor City with Love and Support
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In this episode of LifeBeat, we discuss a very exciting event, the Motor City Baby Shower, hosted by Right to Life of Michigan and the Reconciled Church this Saturday in Detroit. We also highlight Mental Health Awareness Month and how important it is to get the right resources and support to heal. We end the episode by discussing the increase in ou…
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Satan enters the chat (again) after giving the invocation at the OCBOC meeting
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Send us a Text Message. 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 episod…
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In this episode of LifeBeat, we introduce ·Life. The Other Choice.,· an organization-wide refresh built around our new multi-media ads that includes the ads, a new website and brand refresh. We also provide updates on the ·Death with Dignity Act,· a package of bills that were introduced in the Michigan Senate last November and are likely to be hear…
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Meet Jordan Jorritsma the Republican Commissioner candidate in District 2 (Holland)
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Send us a Text Message. 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 …
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What Physician Assisted Suicide Is and Isn’t with Wesley Smith
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Wesley Smith graciously spoke at our 45th Annual Legislative Day hosted just last week on May 1. He shared new developments and his insights on defending against physician-assisted suicide. We then had the privilege of continuing the conversation on our LifeBeat podcast. Lawyer and award-winning author, Wesley J. Smith, is the host of the Humanize …
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Is the U.S./Mexico border as dangerous and chaotic as its made out to be?
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Send us a Text Message. 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…
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Parental Consent on the Chopping Block with Brian Cusack
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In this LifeBeat episode, Brian Cusack, RLM Development Director takes a deep into his family life and why parental consent is so important to him as a father and grandfather. We discuss the recent attacks on parental consent by Governor Whitmer and her allies even though 70% of Michigan voters are in favor of parental consent (Marketing Resource G…
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Your Opinion - Ebel should participate in voter forum so constituents have all the facts
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Send us a Text Message. "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." …
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Meet Common Good Candidate Mark Northrup of District 5 running to defeat Ottawa Impact
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Send us a Text Message. 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 …
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In this Faith in Life LifeBeat feature, Ken Stults sits down with Terri Marcroft to discuss adoption and supporting women in unplanned pregnancies. Terri Marcroft is the adoptive mom of a 23-year old young woman who is the love of her life. Terri·s all-time favorite action hero is her daughter·s birthmother, who made an adoption plan while she was …
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LIVE! with Common Good Candidate Chris Kleinjans of Holland
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Send us a Text Message. 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 …
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In this LifeBeat feature, we discuss how parental consent is on the chopping block. We take a deep dive into the history of Michigan's parental consent law, how proposal 3 impacted it and how it is currently being threatened by the governor and her allies. We also provide an overview on the ACLU's recent report "In Harm·s Way" which outlines why th…
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"Your Opinion" with Mayor Mark Northrup of Hudsonville
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Send us a Text Message. 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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Faith in Life: Unplanned Leads to Unconditional Support
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In this Faith in Life LifeBeat feature, Ken Stults, our Faith Outreach Coordinator, joins Tina, a mother who experienced unconditional love and support from her family, church community and Bethany Christian Services after an unplanned pregnancy. Tina describes how her church rallied around her and how God spoke to her, leading her to release her b…
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Send us a Text Message. 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! N…
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In this LifeBeat episode, we sit down with Emily Kroll for a get-to-know Emily Kroll, our PAC director. Emily discusses why it's important for Michigan voters to get involved in this year's election and how prolife votes could make a difference in the laws that are passed/protected. For more information on voting in Michigan and volunteering for ge…
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Upcoming Event: Join Common Good Conversations LIVE in 1 week!
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Send us a Text Message. *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. Wa…
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Special Episode: The Soul of Politics, co-sponsored by VCG-WM
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Send us a Text Message. *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 C…
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(REPOST) Feature: The Reality of Unregulated Abortion
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*This is a repost of a previous episode recorded in 2022. The information provided in the episode is relevant for Michigan voters today due to the repeal of several longstanding protections for women including health and safety regulations for abortion facilities. Informed consent and parental consent for abortions are also in jeopardy and are curr…
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Women's History Month: Celebrating the Past, Present and Future
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In this month's LifeBeat feature, host, Anna Pluymert, and guest co-host, Jazlyn Bailey, take a deep dive into Women's History Month by highlighting two prolife women from history that have and will continue to inspire the prolife movement for generations to come. We highlight Mildred Jefferson and Ellen McCormack who were both influential in the 1…
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Faith in Life: Making the Difference with Monica Sparks
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In this month's Faith in Life LifeBeat feature, Right to Life of Michigan Faith Outreach Coordinator, Ken Stults, sits down with Monica Sparks to discuss what it's like being a prolife Democrat. Ken and Monica also touched on why it·s so important for the faith community to be involved in the prolife movement. Monica Sparks is an elected prolife De…
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Upcoming Event: The Soul of Politics, Sunday March 10, with Rev. Bryan Berghoef
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Send us a Text Message. 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 Hollan…
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