Join David Lowry and Don Drew on 'Peaceful Life Radio' as they welcome a truly special guest—Santa Claus himself! In this heartwarming episode, Santa recounts his journey from his origins in Turkey to his life at the North Pole. Listen in as he shares magical stories about his elves, flying reindeer, and the spirit of generosity that fuels his Christmas mission. Santa also gives insights into how adults can help spread joy and highlights several charitable organizations. A delightful tale packed with laughter, nostalgia, and the true meaning of Christmas.

00:00 Welcome to Peaceful Life Radio
00:39 A Special Guest: Santa Claus
03:06 Life at the North Pole
03:56 The Magic of Reindeer
04:51 Christmas Memories and Traditions
11:38 The Naughty and Nice List
14:51 How to Help Santa
18:17 Final Thoughts and Merry Christmas

To learn more about peacemaking and how to create peace in your life, subscribe to this podcast and visit our website at Peacemaking 101.

In this episode of Peaceful Life Radio, host David Lowry and co-host Don Drew welcome Kelsey Herndon, a community navigator and team lead at The Spero Project. Kelsey discusses the challenges and successes in resettling refugees in Oklahoma City, particularly focusing on Afghan refugees. The conversation touches on systemic issues, the critical role of local organizations, and the importance of community support in helping refugees adapt to their new lives. Kelsey also emphasizes the value of hospitality, hope, and overcoming personal biases to build a more inclusive society.

00:00 Introduction and Show Overview
00:36 Guest Introduction: Kelsey Herndon
01:07 The Spero Project and Its Mission
02:21 Challenges Faced by Refugees
04:02 Support Services for Refugees
05:36 Navigating Complex Systems
08:05 Community and Professional Integration
11:26 The Importance of Listening and Advocacy
16:09 Finding Peace and Hope
18:40 The Value of Immigrants
23:50 Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action

To learn more about peacemaking and how to create peace in your life, subscribe to this podcast and visit our website at Peacemaking 101.

Rethinking Forgiveness: A Biblical Perspective with Dr. John Harrison

In this episode of Peaceful Life Radio, hosts Don Drew and David Lowry discuss the complex topic of forgiveness with Dr. John Harrison, a New Testament professor at Oklahoma Christian University. Dr. Harrison explores the difference between psychological and biblical approaches to forgiveness, arguing that the latter involves sin, repentance, and restitution. He challenges the modern Christian notion that one must forgive unrepentant individuals, emphasizing the importance of grace, kindness instead, and letting go of personal hurt without confusing it with biblical forgiveness. Through personal anecdotes and deep theological insights, this conversation invites listeners to reconsider what it means to truly forgive and how to live peacefully amidst unresolved wrongs.

00:00 Welcome to Peaceful Life Radio
00:33 Introducing Dr. John Harrison
01:08 Understanding Forgiveness in the Bible
02:36 Personal Stories and Illustrations
04:44 The Moral Dilemma of Forgiveness
11:07 Practical Advice on Forgiveness
20:03 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

To learn more about peacemaking and how to create peace in your life, subscribe to this podcast and visit our website at Peacemaking 101.

Music as Medicine: A Conversation with Dr. Heath Jones

In this episode of Peaceful Life Radio, host David Lowry and guest Dr. Don Drew welcome Dr. Heath Jones, a virtuoso saxophone player and music educator. Dr. Jones discusses his journey into music, the influence of his upbringing, and the profound impact of music on emotional well-being. He shares personal stories, highlighting music's role in offering peace and joy, and performs live pieces to showcase different emotions conveyed through music. The conversation also touches on the therapeutic benefits of music for various life challenges and explores how everyone, regardless of their musical background, can find solace in music.

00:00 Introduction and Announcements
00:47 Introducing Dr. Heath Jones
01:49 Heath's Musical Journey
04:39 The Emotional Power of Music
07:13 Music as a Universal Language
12:26 Healing Through Music
18:53 Practical Tips for Using Music in Daily Life
22:29 Choosing an Instrument
25:07 Closing and Final Performance

To learn more about peacemaking and how to create peace in your life, subscribe to this podcast and visit our website at Peacemaking 101.

Understanding Trauma and Healing - Dr. Kelly Roberts Part 2

In this episode of Peaceful Life Radio, hosts Don and David Lowry greet Dr. Kelly Roberts, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to discuss trauma and healing, focusing on intergenerational trauma and moral injury. Dr. Roberts explains the concept of intergenerational trauma and its epigenetic markers, while sharing interventions such as EMDR and various trauma-informed therapies. The conversation also touches on relational trauma, the importance of setting boundaries, and resources for treatment and healing, culminating in practical steps for achieving a happier, more peaceful life.

00:00 Understanding Trauma and Healing - A Dialogue with Dr. Kelly Roberts Part 2
01:08 Intergenerational Trauma
05:17 Relational Trauma and Gaslighting
12:54 Trauma-Informed Workplaces
14:36 Moral Injury
17:40 Resources and Final Thoughts

To learn more about peacemaking and how to create peace in your life, subscribe to this podcast and visit our website at Peacemaking 101.

Understanding Trauma and Healing - Dr. Kelly Roberts: Part 1

In this episode of Peaceful Life Radio, hosts David Lowry and Don Drew welcome Dr. Kelly Roberts, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to discuss the concept of trauma. Dr. Roberts explains how people respond differently to traumatic events and the distinction between primary and secondary trauma. She shares personal anecdotes and highlights the psychological impact of trauma, including its symptoms such as hypervigilance. The discussion emphasizes the importance of storytelling and time in healing from trauma. This episode is the first part of a two-part series, with the next episode set to cover intergenerational trauma and moral injury.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Kelly Roberts
01:13 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:58 Career Highlights and Teaching Experience
02:04 Understanding Trauma
02:04 Today's Topic: Understanding Trauma
02:07 Welcoming Dr. Kelly Roberts
03:45 Defining Trauma and Stress
05:25 Personal Story of Trauma
08:42 Levels of Trauma
11:32 Symptoms and Responses to Trauma
13:04 Impact of COVID-19 on Trauma

To learn more about peacemaking and how to create peace in your life, subscribe to this podcast and visit our website at Peacemaking 101.

In this episode of Peaceful Life Radio, hosts David Lowry and Don Drew delve into the complex topic of self-entitlement. They discuss its definition, how it manifests in behavior, and the ways it can negatively impact personal relationships and mental health. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, they explore seven key elements of self-entitlement, such as an exaggerated sense of self-importance and a lack of reciprocity and empathy. The episode concludes with practical steps for overcoming self-entitlement, including self-awareness, practicing gratitude, cultivating humility, and contributing to the well-being of others.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:12 Understanding Self Entitlement

01:22 Personal Story on Entitlement

03:07 Characteristics of Entitlement

04:52 Seven Key Elements of Self Entitlement

14:04 Impact on Relationships and Mental Health

22:56 Practical Steps to Overcome Entitlement

28:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

To learn more about peacemaking and how to create peace in your life, subscribe to this podcast and visit our website at Peacemaking 101.

In this episode of Peaceful Life Radio, hosts David Lowry and Don delve into the four stages of personal growth, originally conceptualized by Christian writer Brian McLaren as the 'Four Stages of Faith.' They break down each stage—Simplicity, Complexity, Perplexity, and Harmony—offering insights into how our thinking evolves over time. The discussion emphasizes how different stages shape our understanding of happiness and success, encouraging continuous personal development and reflection. Tune in for a fascinating exploration of personal growth and development dynamics.

00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic
00:10 The Four Stages of Personal Growth
02:01 Stage 1: Simplicity
07:14 Stage 2: Complexity
11:16 Stage 3: Perplexity
15:22 Stage 4: Harmony
16:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

To learn more about peacemaking and how to create peace in your life, subscribe to this podcast and visit our website at Peacemaking 101.