Discovering a new band is usually a simple joy. But these days, I find myself asking: who else is listening, and what does that say about the music — or about me? A reflection on The Red Clay Strays and the burden of cautious listening.
A touching Facebook post about Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke made me pause—not just because it was fake, but because it reminded me how easily we fall for emotional manipulation when it feels good. From nostalgia-fueled hoaxes to emotionally engineered faith experiences, sometimes we need to ask: are we responding to truth… or just really good storytelling?
July 16, 2025
The past week is another reminder that natural disasters don’t care about borders or voting records. But maybe the most faithful response isn’t to explain the flood, but to wade into the grief and just be present. Just care.
July 9, 2025
I lived with a toothache far longer than I should’ve—and it taught me something about all the kinds of pain we get used to carrying, both physical and emotional.
July 2, 2025
Raised to believe Republicans were the fiscally responsible party, I was long-grown before I began to question it. And, a recent look at the actual numbers inspired a personal reflection on truth, debt, and political rethinking.
The Red Clay Strays and the Complicated Joy of Discovering New Music
Discovering a new band is usually a simple joy. But these days, I find myself asking: who else is listening, and what does that say about the music — or about me? A reflection on The Red Clay Strays and the burden of cautious listening.