Slow to Speake

What if we designed content that rewarded bridge-building over angry division?Have you ever heard the phrase, outrage sells?It’s the idea that our anger drives far more online engagement than any other emotion, so companies take advantage of this by engineering content that gets us... angry.In today’s episode we break down some data and discuss two practical ways we can push back against our anger paying people’s salaries.You can reach us at: [email protected] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

I couldn’t find a way to post this long-form interview in a way that would track the history of your listening to ensure that if you paused or stepped away for a while, it would be able to let you hop back in where you left off. So Substack will have to do.Years ago I took time to interview grandma and grandpa about our family’s history. The recordings aren’t the best, but hopefully you can enjoy what was captured! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

Lament has played a central role in how the end of 2025 has begun to wrap up. As it has helped me, I wonder how it could help you. How could a practice like Lament help send you into 2026 with a clearer mind and a more grounded soul?This is an unplanned episode that was recorded today - I hope it resonates with some of you.Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

This is a haunting question when you give it room to breathe. Today we explore that question and set up a potential theme that will drive future content on the channel.As we head into 2026 I can't help but think this is a wonderful question to reflect on. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

Comedians are some of the most aware and impressive cultural commentators I know of. My friend and colleague Jon Gordon joins me today to discuss comedy, comedians, and culture and I loved recording this one! I hope you enjoy it too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

I want to share with you the most beautiful spoken word I’ve ever heard along with some of my own thoughts surrounding it. I know there is plenty of talk going around from various influencers and leaders trying to tell you what to do when everything feels out of control. Believe me, they find me too. If anything, all of these voices just add to the cluttered messaging that I’m trying to process any given day. I hope to simplify things a bit with this post. I want to pull the cover back on a personal journaling I did and invite you into it. Regardless of all the advice that’s out there, all the voices are right about one thing: life really does have a way of zigging and zagging in and out of feelings of uncertainty and chaos and feelings of apparent stability. This post is the most compelling case I’ve heard made on how we can synchronize the ebb and flow of daily life.I hope you are as impacted as I have been.Here is a link to the original video: Sunflowers in BabylonAnd here is a link to the review of the ARC Conference by Justin Brierley: Review of ARC ConferenceHere is credit for: the Hobbit Video This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

Every once in a while it is a blast to explore some of the more subtle and enjoyable things that shape our lives and this episode is one of those moments.On this episode we discuss why reading fiction as adults is important. Co-author and bookend sibling Katie Speake joins us on today's episode to discuss such a fun topic.Enjoy everyone! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

Join us as we explore the concept of Sonder together and consider how it changes your outlook on life.As always, if you enjoyed the episode please share this with others and feel free to leave a review and/or a comment! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

We're re-releasing the episode with some improved audio quality. Text of the episode can be found here on the Slow to Speake substack!In this episode we ask the question, what is culture? Specifically, we look at Western culture, how are we formed by it, and possibly, why we are doing nothing about it.Credit to to the works of Andrew Wilson's Remaking the World, Glen Scrivener's The Air We Breathe, David Brook's TED Talk on Lies from Culture, and Thomas de Zengotita's The Numbing of the American Mind.As always, thank you for your support! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

On today's episode Dr. Keasler and I discuss the legacy and life of Dallas Willard as well as Spiritual Formation, reading the bible alone vs. in community, and a brief hit on politics.I hope you enjoy the discussion and can appreciate the dialogue and humor for what it is!Here are the 5 books in Willard's pentology:* Hearing God (In Search of Guidance)* Spirit of the Disciplines* Divine Conspiracy* Renovation of the Heart* Knowing Christ TodayHere are the 5 questions Dr. Keasler recommended for when reading the bible on your own:* What is this text about?* What encourages or inspires me about this text?* What confuses me (maybe even upsets me) about this text?* What does this teach me about God (father, son, HS)?* How does this connect to my life right now?If you'd like to find me and my other writings on substack or find the audio only versions of the show you can find them here:Spotify: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

On today's episode I am revisiting an article I published here on ⁠Substack⁠. In short, I write on how the ideologies in politics can very quickly become a pseudo-religion that seeks to take us away from the way of Jesus. How, if we aren’t careful, we can subtly slip into elevating our politics to too high a place in our lives. The inauguration was saturated with religious language and symbolism and as followers of Jesus I think it's important to remember where our true hope and allegiance lie after yesterday.Remember, you can reach me with any questions or feedback at [email protected]! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

Welcome back to Slow to Speake!In this episode I briefly walk through the official(?) Season 1 preview for the show. I share some questions, idea, and a few thoughts. I don't share a guest list just yet, but I've got a few folks confirmed already to come on the show and I'm very excited! I hope you will be too.If you enjoyed this episode would you consider sharing it and leaving a review? Any little bit helps!As mentioned in the episode, if you have any comments, questions, or feedback you can contact me at [email protected] or drop a comment below on this post.Audi Alteram Partem - See you next time! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com

Welcome to Slow to Speake! I'm so happy you are here.This is a companion resource to my work here on Substack - both of which I hope serve as hubs for ideas and information where myself and others like me explore and analyze ideas around culture, current events, and spirituality - essentially all the things that contribute to meaning-making in our lives. We seek to wade into the deeper waters of meaning and our human experiences. We hope that curiosity, story telling, an attempt at unbiased critical thinking, and a bit of humor make this quest an enjoyable one.Please subscribe and share this episode with anyone that you think would enjoy coming along for the journey. If you enjoyed this preview and are excited about what is to come, consider leaving a 5-star review! Every engagement helps.Audi Alteram Partem friends, see you soon! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ethanspeake.substack.com