Common Good Conversations
Vote Common Good: West Michigan
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, grace-filled, and humorous; perhaps they’ll learn something along the way.
All episodes
Best episodes
Seasons
Top 10 Common Good Conversations Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Common Good Conversations episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Common Good Conversations for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Common Good Conversations episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
What Happened to my Republican Party? with Commissioner Roger Bergman and Georgetown Twp. Trustee Becky Steele
Common Good Conversations
08/19/23 • 58 min
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
Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary
Why did a Satanist "enter the chat" about Ottawa Impact?
Common Good Conversations
01/27/24 • 60 min
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 Constitutional County.
In this episode you'll learn about the 7 tenets of Satanism, why Bender wanted to pushback against Ottawa Impact on religious freedom, and yule goats on the state capitol grounds.
"Hail you guys and Hail Satan." - Bender Bones
--
Satanic Temple supports Ottawa County's 'Constitutional County', video
Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary
Upcoming Event: Join Common Good Conversations LIVE! March 24 in Holland
Common Good Conversations
03/02/24 • 21 min
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. 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, grace-filled, and humorous; perhaps they’ll learn something along the way.
- Special Guest, Christian Kleinjans for Ottawa County Commissioner
- Live Music, Daniel Dietrich
- Alcoholic beverages and pizza available for purchase
Sunday, March 24 from 6 to 8 PM at Park Theatre.
Let us know you're coming!
Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary
Meet Josh Brugger of Grand Haven (District 10) running to return Ottawa County to "boring, reliable and predictable" governance
Common Good Conversations
06/03/24 • 81 min
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 believes that “now is the time for those of us "in the middle" to stand up to politicians on the fringes and declare, "Enough is enough."
In this episode you'll learn that Brugger wants to return Ottawa County to being "boring, reliable and predictable" — and he says that's a good thing, why as a Republican he refuses to align himself with the Ottawa County GOP, and how not to make dead people (and possibly zombies).
Don't forget to RSVP for free for our live podcast event Sunday, June 16 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm at Park Theatre in Holland!
Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary
"After two years of far-right rule in a Michigan county, one chance to change it" - with The Washington Post
Common Good Conversations
08/28/24 • 53 min
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 series called Democracy in America, how moderate Republicans and some Democrats mobilized against Ottawa Impact and fought back, and how eating BBQ is a form of patriotism.
To learn more about the Washington Post's coverage of Ottawa Impact you can listen to our November 2023 episode called Why is the Washington Post covering the politics of Ottawa County?--
Note: Ottawa Impact lost it's majority on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners after the August 6th primary election. The four that remain through the general election are Joe Moss, Sylvia Rhodea, Kendra Wenzel, and Allison Miedema.
Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary
Your Opinion: "Veterans Need the Truth, not Platitudes"
Common Good Conversations
10/28/23 • 8 min
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.
Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary
Third time's a charm for funding the Patmos Library
Common Good Conversations
02/05/24 • 60 min
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, what compromise in a community looks like, and how it feels to finally have the Patmos Library fully funded.
Enjoy.
Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary
Why is the Washington Post covering the politics of Ottawa County?
Common Good Conversations
11/11/23 • 50 min
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
Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary
What is Christian Nationalism? with Doug Pagitt of Vote Common Good
Common Good Conversations
11/04/23 • 68 min
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 in Holland click here.
- To listen to a Red Hat Blue Hat Talk click here.
Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary
Your Opinion: "Wanted: Wisdom and Experience"
Common Good Conversations
11/04/23 • 10 min
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.
Follow us on Facebook at Vote Common Good - primary
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
FAQ
How many episodes does Common Good Conversations have?
Common Good Conversations currently has 50 episodes available.
What topics does Common Good Conversations cover?
The podcast is about News, Christianity, Faith, Democrat, Religion & Spirituality, Podcasts, Michigan, Republican and Politics.
What is the most popular episode on Common Good Conversations?
The episode title 'Your Opinion: "Wanted: Wisdom and Experience"' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Common Good Conversations?
The average episode length on Common Good Conversations is 50 minutes.
How often are episodes of Common Good Conversations released?
Episodes of Common Good Conversations are typically released every 6 days, 21 hours.
When was the first episode of Common Good Conversations?
The first episode of Common Good Conversations was released on Aug 19, 2023.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ