No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp
Society & Culture
About
What does it really mean to live a good life—in our politics, our faith, our work, and our relationships? On No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp, we explore the ideas, practices, and public debates that shape human flourishing today. Each week you’ll hear thought-provoking conversations with bestselling authors, philosophers, neuroscientists, psychologists, theologians, artists, and political leaders—people wrestling with the biggest questions of meaning and purpose in our time. Together we ask: How can religion be a force for healing instead of division? What does neuroscience reveal about happiness, habits, and productivity? Where do politics and justice meet t...
Episodes
- 260: Unabridged Interview: Nicholas Ma
In this unabridged interview, filmmaker Nicholas Ma discusses his documentary "Leap of Faith," which explores how pastors navigate division. He shares insights on staying in relationship despite disagreement and finding kindness in a divid…
- The Subtext: Noah Kahan's New Record Will Make You Go to Therapy Again
This episode of No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp discusses Noah Kahan's album, The Great Divide. The discussion covers themes of home, relationships, love, and friendship, and includes personal reflections on hometowns, connecting to the…
- 260: Nicholas Ma: What to Do With the People You Love But Don’t Agree With
Nicholas Ma explores the concept of disagreement and its impact on relationships, emphasizing the importance of staying connected even when views diverge. He shares insights from his work, including a documentary on pastors addressing theo…
- 259: Unabridged Interview: Kristin T. Lee
Dr. Kristin T. Lee joins Lee C. Camp to discuss her book, We Mend with Gold. They explore her experience as a Chinese American navigating faith, identity, and the immigrant church.
- The Subtext: Netflix is Boring Because of Our Short Atten—
This episode discusses how streaming platforms like Netflix may be changing storytelling due to shrinking attention spans. It examines what is lost when stories are designed for distracted viewers and the impact on meaningful content.
- 259: Kristin T. Lee: An Immigrant Daughter’s Reckoning with Faith and Identity
Dr. Kristin T. Lee, author of "We Mend with Gold," reflects on her journey as a Chinese American navigating faith and identity within the immigrant church. She discusses the complexities of immigrant communities, unconscious bias, and reco…
- 258: Unabridged Interview: Shankar Vedantam
Shankar Vedantam, founder of Hidden Brain Media, discusses how our minds operate beyond conscious awareness. He explores the implications of this for autonomous living.
- The Subtext: God Had a Big Week in Pop Culture
This episode of "The Subtext" discusses recent instances of religious themes in pop culture, including a Gen Z artist's Bible critique, political comparisons to Jesus, and an Easter message from the Artemis II crew. It covers varied perspe…
- 258: Shankar Vedantam: Hidden Brain (Best of NSE)
Shankar Vedantam, founder of Hidden Brain Media, joins the show to discuss the unconscious mind and its impact on human behavior. He explains how our conscious decision-making is only a small part of our mental processes, with much of our…
- 257: Unabridged Interview: Rosalind Picard
This episode features an unabridged interview with Rosalind Picard, a pioneer in affective computing, recorded live at the Baylor Symposium on Faith & Culture. She discusses artificial intelligence, its impact on human dignity and embodime…
- The Subtext: Should the Church Have Reputation Managers?
This episode explores the rise of reputation management within religious institutions, focusing on how churches adopt PR and branding tools. It examines the implications for perception, truth, and power, specifically referencing The Church…
- 257: The Human Cost of AI: What Is It All For?
This episode discusses the human cost of AI, exploring how to live well within a technological age by addressing questions of purpose, human dignity, and agency. It draws on neuroscience, theology, and philosophy to consider authentic huma…
- 256: Unabridged Interview: Josh Brake
This unabridged interview with Josh Brake on No Small Endeavor explores the intersection of engineering, philosophy, and theology to discuss technology, AI, and human flourishing. Josh Brake and Lee C. Camp discuss what it means to live wi…
- The Subtext: Everyone Hates Poetry
Lee C. Camp and Savannah discuss poetry with guest Donovan McAbee, author of "Holy the Body." They explore why people dislike poetry, the beauty of uncertainty, and how poetry can help understand difficult life experiences.
- 256: The Human Cost of AI: Money, Sex, and Tools
This episode of No Small Endeavor explores the human cost of AI, examining its impact on our lives through the lenses of money, sex, and tools. It discusses how AI shapes habits, desires, and systems of power, featuring insights from schol…
- 255: Unabridged Interview: Matt Lee
In this unabridged interview, sociologist Matthew T. Lee discusses human flourishing. He explores love as a social practice, challenging individualistic definitions of success and advocating for a vision rooted in community and mutual care.
- The Subtext: Is Social Media a Calling?
Savannah and Lee discuss whether social media can be a calling. They explore the connection between influencer work, vocation, and making an impact in the world.
- 255: Matt Lee: Why You Can't Flourish Alone
Matthew T. Lee, a sociologist and human flourishing scholar, discusses why flourishing is a shared experience rather than an individual achievement. He emphasizes the importance of community, dialogue, and mutual care, challenging individu…
- 254: Unabridged Interview: Laurie Santos
In this unabridged interview, Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale psychologist, explores the science of well-being. She discusses why people often mispredict what will make them happy and highlights the importance of gratitude, social connection, an…
- The Subtext: WAR! Part TWO!
Lee C. Camp and Savannah discuss Dispensationalism for Dummies, Christian Nationalism, and Just War Tradition. This episode is titled "The Subtext: WAR! Part TWO!"
- 254: Laurie Santos: The Science of Happiness (and How We Get It Wrong)
In this episode, Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos joins Lee C. Camp to discuss the science of happiness. They explore why people often mispredict what will bring them happiness and examine the roles of gratitude, social connection, and…
- 253: Unabridged Interview: Sonja Lyubomirsky
In this unabridged interview, Sonja Lyubomirsky explores happiness, gratitude, kindness, and hedonic adaptation. She discusses her book, "How to Feel Loved," emphasizing that feeling loved comes from allowing oneself to be known.
- The Subtext: Multi-Level Marketing
This episode of No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp discusses the history and impact of multi-level marketing (MLM) companies. It explores how these organizations operate by turning friendships into sales opportunities, often targeting wome…
- 253: Sonja Lyubomirsky: How To Actually Feel Loved
In this episode, Sonja Lyubomirsky shares insights from her book, "How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most." She discusses the science of happiness, including gratitude, kindness, hedonic adaptation, and…
- 252: Unabridged Interview: Ronald Rolheiser
In this unabridged interview, Ronald Rolheiser joins Lee C. Camp to discuss the spiritual aspects of aging, drawing from Rolheiser's book "Insane for the Light: A Spirituality for Our Wisdom Years." They explore themes such as loneliness,…
- The Subtext: WAR! What Is It Good For?
Lee C. Camp explores Christian nonviolence and its historical roots, considering how faith, power, and policy intersect with war. The episode discusses reports of military officers invoking "God's divine plan" to justify military action.
- 252: Ronald Rolheiser: How to Grow Old Without Growing Bitter
In this episode, Ronald Rolheiser and Lee C. Camp explore the spiritual aspects of aging, focusing on themes like loneliness, diminishment, forgiveness, and the idea of "giving your death away." They discuss how to navigate the later stage…
- 251: Unabridged Interview: Kim Stanley Robinson
In this unabridged interview, Kim Stanley Robinson and Lee C. Camp discuss climate change and finding hope amidst dread. They explore the roles of science, faith, and moral imagination in addressing environmental challenges and fostering a…
- The Subtext: When did U2 Get So Political?
This episode dives into U2's "Days of Ash" EP, discussing its themes of grief, protest, and hope. It explores how theology, politics, and art intertwine in songs like "The Tears of Things" and "Song of the Future."
- 251: Kim Stanley Robinson: A Novelist Imagines a Livable Future
In this episode, Kim Stanley Robinson and Lee C. Camp discuss climate change and the possibility of a livable future. Robinson shares a hopeful vision rooted in communal action and the work of ordinary people.
- 250: Unabridged Interview: Paul Rosolie
Paul Rosolie, a conservationist and author, shares his experiences protecting the Amazon rainforest in an unabridged interview with Lee C. Camp. They discuss the importance of answering a call to action, loving what you protect, and findin…
- The Subtext: America’s Next Top Model
This episode of No Small Endeavor revisits the cultural reckoning around America's Next Top Model, examining what meaningful accountability looks like for those who shaped harmful beauty standards. The discussion explores whether acknowled…
- 250: Paul Rosolie: Riding Anacondas and Saving the Amazon
Paul Rosolie, a conservationist, joins Lee C. Camp to discuss his experiences in the Amazon rainforest. He shares his story of dedicating his life to protecting the Amazon, detailing encounters with wildlife and his efforts in conservation…
- 249: Unabridged Interview: Alexandra Solomon
In this episode, Dr. Alexandra Solomon shares insights from her book "Loving Bravely" on improving relationships. She discusses self-awareness, understanding the past, and tools for long-term love.
- The Subtext: The Moral Line: Can We Separate Art from the Artist?
This episode of No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp investigates the complex question of whether it is possible to separate the art from the artist, especially when artists, authors, and celebrities disappoint us with their behavior or beli…
- For Your Consideration: Lee C. Camp on Theology in the Raw
Lee C. Camp discusses political theology, Christian nationalism, just war theory, technology, and their impact on Christian life and the church. This conversation was originally recorded for Preston Sprinkle's podcast, Theology in the Raw.
- The Subtext: A Valentine's Day Special
In this Valentine's Day special, Savannah and Lee discuss the show Couples’ Therapy and the balance between self-betrayal and people-pleasing in marriage. They also reference Curt Thompson's work on lasting love.
- 248: Unabridged Interview: Curt Thompson
In this episode, Dr. Curt Thompson discusses desire, shame, and suffering, and their impact on authentic relationships. He explores how being seen, present, and walking together through pain can lead to healing and human flourishing.
- The Subtext: Super Bowl Official Playlist
This episode of The Subtext features Lee and Savannah discussing rival Super Bowl halftime shows. They explore how these events reflect American culture and identity.
- 248: Curt Thompson: The Work Beneath Lasting Love
Dr. Curt Thompson joins Lee C. Camp for a conversation about desire, shame, and suffering, and their impact on authentic relationships. The episode explores how being seen, staying present, and walking together through pain can lead to hea…
- The Subtext: Rent Free: All is Fair in Love And (Culture) War
This episode discusses how the Super Bowl Halftime Show has become a front in culture wars, examining how seemingly ordinary events can reflect broader cultural debates. It explores the historical context of culture wars and considers how…
- 247: Unabridged Interview: Judith Moskowitz
Judith Moskowitz joins Lee C. Camp for a conversation about emotional nuance and the science of positive psychology. She shares eight research-backed practices to increase positive emotion and foster flourishing relationships, even when li…
- Dr. Lee Warren: You’re Not Stuck With the Mind You Have
Dr. Lee Warren, a neurosurgeon and author, explores the idea that the mind and brain are distinct. He discusses how change is possible and how individuals can reclaim agency over their responses, drawing on neuroscience, faith, and persona…
- The Subtext: Bet on It
This episode discusses how legalized gambling and prediction markets are influencing culture and daily life, including sports and politics. It examines the blurring lines between betting, profit, and addiction.
- 247: Judith Moskowitz: How to Flourish Amidst Stress (Best of NSE)
Judith Moskowitz joins Lee C. Camp to discuss her research on positive psychology and how individuals can flourish amidst stress. She shares eight research-backed practices to increase positive emotion and foster relationships, even when l…
- 245: Unabridged Interview: Rumman Chowdhury
In this unabridged interview, Rumman Chowdhury joins Lee C. Camp to discuss artificial intelligence. They challenge popular narratives about AI, focusing on power, incentives, and responsibility, and how these elements shape our technologi…
- The Subtext: Celebrities Should Stay in Their Lane
This episode of No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp discusses celebrity involvement in political and moral matters, exploring differing views on public figures speaking out. It examines societal double standards related to fame, faith, and…
- 245: Rumman Chowdhury: Why the Real AI Crisis Is Moral, Not Technical
Dr. Rumman Chowdhury joins Lee C. Camp to discuss the moral, not technical, crisis of artificial intelligence. She explores how surveillance, corporate profit, and moral outsourcing shape our technological future, advocating for AI that se…
- 246: Unabridged Interview: Amishi Jha
Neuroscientist Amishi Jha explores the practice of mindfulness meditation and its ability to improve attention and overall mental health. She explains how just 12 minutes a day can lead to a "Peak Mind" and benefit everyone.
- The Subtext: If You’re Not Terrified, You’re Not Paying Attention
This episode of No Small Endeavor, "The Subtext: If You’re Not Terrified, You’re Not Paying Attention," discusses how social media can transform fear into a public spectacle. It explores whether constant distress aids faithful engagement w…