Best Tom Appel Podcasts (2025)

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2027 Kia Telluride, All-New Polestar 4, Plotting the Future of Infiniti 55:58

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2h ago55:58

55:58

Tom opens the show by recapping briefly his time in the Lucid Air Touring electric luxury sedan. Tom is impressed by the Lucid, but does have one (big) complaint. The hosts go on to discuss rumors that Tesla will be ADDING the Apple CarPlay feature to some or all of its models in the near future. A huge new Honda recall will affect the owners of ce…

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#103: Are we standardizing the soul out of forensic science? 50:55

3h ago50:55

50:55

In this final episode of the 2025 season of Crime and the Courtroom, host John Collins takes a candid and uncompromising look at a growing challenge within the forensic science community: the accelerating push toward standardization. While standards have long played a vital role in improving consistency and strengthening laboratory management, Coll…

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Celebrating 300 Episodes! Biggest News Stories of the Past 6 Years, Best $30,000 New Vehicles 56:48

7d ago56:48

56:48

To celebrate the 300th episode of the Car Stuff Podcast, Jill and Tom are joined by Jennifer Newman and Damon Bell of Cars.com. Jennifer was the podcast’s first guest, and Damon was co-host for the first three years of the show. Jennifer and Damon share the Cars.com picks for the best vehicles under $30,000. That conversation dovetailed nicely with…

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New Ram SUV, Subaru BRZ Review, Audi's High-Tech Headlights 58:03

14d ago58:03

58:03

Jill and Tom open the show discussing Tom’s take on the future of Apple CarPlay. You can read Tom’s recent blog post on the topic here. The hosts also discuss Ram’s new SUV, which is due sometime as a 2028 model. Expect the truck to be mechanically similar to the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Next topic is a trio of boundary-pushing Lexus concept cars seen …

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#102: An Accident in the Forensic Lab and Lessons Learned 47:29

9d ago47:29

47:29

In this episode, John tells the full story about his battle with hearing loss, how it started, and what steps are now being taken to give him back his hearing. It is a story involving a serious accident in a forensic laboratory many years ago - sometime around 1995 - and one that provides some important lessons about safety, leadership, and persona…

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Killing CarPlay, Driving the McLaren GT, Fuel Cells for Big Trucks 56:06

21d ago56:06

56:06

Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill this week. Jill will be back for next week’s show. Paul and Tom open the show by discussing consumer-battery maker Duracell’s foray into electric-vehicle charging. Duracell branded car chargers are showing up now in the U.K., and are expected to arrive in the U.S. in the not-to-distant future. The …

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#101: Command Coaching at the Point of Promotion 49:44

28d ago49:44

49:44

As we near the end of our 5th season, John Collins first takes a moment to discuss his upcoming surgery and his battle with hearing loss following an accident that occurred in a laboratory where he worked while he was in his early 20s. He then discusses "command coaching," which is an application of coaching at the initial points of promotion for s…

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Ford's "i-Pod" Steering Wheel, VW Golf R, Stellantis Manufacturing Shakeup 57:22

28d ago57:22

57:22

Jill returns this week after a two-show absence to participate in the 2025 edition of the Rebelle Rally. After Jill wraps up her thoughts on the event, Tom shares news regarding Toyota launching a new premium brand to be positioned above Lexus in the maker’s corporate portfolio. Tom goes onto complain about/fawn over the new steering wheel controls…

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Chevrolet Bolt Returns, Driving an Electric Lotus, Talking Big Pickups 56:53

1M ago56:53

56:53

Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill this week. The hosts open the show by discussing the reborn Chevrolet Bolt small electric crossover. Pricing comes in about $5000 below the least-expensive Chevy Equinox EV, at around $30,000. Paul and Tom also discussed the new Tesla Model 3 and Model Y “Standard" models, which are both priced aro…

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Jeep Drops Wagoneer, Cadillac Optiq Review, ChargePoint Hones Charging Network 56:25

2M ago56:25

56:25

Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill this week. Brendan and Tom open the show discussing rumors of the Jeep Wagoneer’s demise, which would leave just the Grand Wagoneer in Jeep’s lineup. The hosts share sales numbers for large SUVs--listen in to hear which large ute is the best-selling. Brendan shares his thoughts on the post-federal…

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Lexus Drops Model, Driving the Redesigned Leaf, Polestar Deep Dive 56:12

2M ago56:12

56:12

Jill and Tom open the show noting that the well-regarded Hyundai Kona EV small electric crossover is only offered in a dozen states, so availability is very limited. This point comes into play as the hosts discuss the redesigned Nissan Leaf later in the show. Tom shares news regarding new tariffs, this time on heavy-duty trucks. Interestingly, big-…

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Nissan Kills EV, Driving the Audi SQ8, Shopping for Car Insurance 54:50

2M ago54:50

54:50

Tom opens the show correcting two errors he made recently. Listen in to hear what he got wrong. Tom then shares the results of an X poll he conducted on Ferrari colors. Turns out white is NOT a popular choice for the Italian sports cars. The hosts also acknowledge the end of production for the Subaru Legacy midsize sedan. Jill notes that the car ne…

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Honda Civic Hybrid, Ram Kills EV, 1969 Camaro 56:24

2M ago56:24

56:24

The show opens with a brief, and completely off-topic, conversation about whether or not Tom smells spicy. Listen in for the verdict. Tom shared brief impressions of the 2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD, noting that the premium midsize crossover was over-named by a few syllables. That said, Tom is very impressed with the vehicles. The hos…

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#100: "Wing Violence" and the Murder of Charlie Kirk 38:08

2M ago38:08

38:08

In the 100th episode of Crime and the Courtroom, host John Collins pauses the celebration to examine the shooting death of Charlie Kirk in Utah and what it reveals about public safety, due process, and the health of civic life. Drawing on his experience in the Atlanta Olympic bombing investigation, Collins unpacks how early speculation and "wing vi…

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Chinese Door Handles, Volkswagen Tiguan Review, Toyota Learns from Motorsports 55:41

2M ago55:41

55:41

Jill and Tom open the show by sharing information about a Chicago event, Electrify Chicago, coming to the area September 12-13. Next, Tom shares some news about Chinese new-car door handles, and how some of them will soon be illegal. The hosts also discussed the relationship between the Toyota Highlander and Grand Highlander. With the “Grand” gaini…

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WWI and its Spiritual impact on Europe 29:15

3M ago29:15

29:15

World War One (1914–1918) had a profound and often disorienting impact on the spiritual climate in Europe. The unprecedented scale of violence, death, and destruction led many to question long-standing religious beliefs, moral assumptions, and the authority of traditional institutions, including the Church. In this episode, we break down a brief hi…

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#99: How Much Control Should Judges Have Over the Testimony of Expert Witnesses? 1:09:11

3M ago1:09:11

1:09:11

Judges hold tremendous power in the American criminal justice system, and possibly more power than we realize. In this episode of Crime and the Courtroom, John Collins shares his thoughts about a trend being encountered by expert witnesses whose testimony is being limited or controlled by judges. In some cases, the identification of latent prints o…

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New Jeep Cherokee, Bronco Stroppe, Tariff Turmoil Explained 54:25

3M ago54:25

54:25

Jill and Tom open the show talking about “launch colors,” basically the color which new vehicles are initially presented in for media reveals, advertising, and promotion. Tom still remembers the copper color the redesigned Mitsubishi Eclipse was unveiled in for 2000. Tom shared his early impressions of the electric Volvo EX30 subcompact crossover. …

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Audi Price Hikes, Driving the New Solterra, Restoring Classic Cars as EVs 56:39

3M ago56:39

56:39

The hosts open the show briefly discussing Tom’s experiences car shopping with his 25-year-old daughter. After test driving five cars, and much careful consideration, a car has been purchased. Listen in for details. In the news, Jill and Tom talk about Audi tariff-related price increases, Chrysler’s crazy Grizzly Peak minivan concept vehicle, and t…

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#98: The ISHI Forensic Leadership Alliance: Looking Ahead to the 2025 Symposium 1:09:52

3M ago1:09:52

1:09:52

In this episode of Crime and the Courtroom, host John Collins is joined by colleagues Dr. Pamela Marshall, Julie Sikorsky, and Dr. Ray Wickenheiser to discuss their ongoing collaboration, the Forensic Leadership Alliance. The group reflects on their shared work since 2020 in providing leadership development opportunities for forensic scientists, wi…

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EV Startups Struggle, Acura ADX Review, Shrinking Big Cities and the Future of Mobility 55:46

3M ago55:46

55:46

Jill and Tom open the show discussing the poor first-half financial returns of EV startups Lucid and Rivian, and the surprising impact recent emissions deregulation will have on their bottom lines. The hosts also touch on the slow sales start of Lucid’s new Gravity EV crossover. Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the subcompact Acura ADX cros…

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Ford's "Model T Moment," 2026 Palisade Review, Features Most Important to Value Shoppers 57:09

3M ago57:09

57:09

Jill and Tom open the show discussing today’s big Ford news, an announcement the company refers to as its “Model T Moment.” The news, delivered by Ford CEO Jim Farley, includes plans for a new electric pickup truck, new manufacturing processes, and a surprising target price point. Listen in for details. Still in the first segment, Jill reviews the …

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Surprising Costco Car, Driving the Electric Escalade, All About the Subaru Forester Hybrid 56:37

4M ago56:37

56:37

Jill and Tom open the show covering a few news items, including: · Tesla has stopped exporting a couple of models to Europe · Engine stop/start may be dropped from future vehicles · The Ineos Grenadier SUV is now available via the Costo car-buying service Tom also discussed his surprise at how likable the 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale—not the plug-in hybr…

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#97: Police Culture, Federal Funds, and Forensic Science Laboratories 41:28

3M ago41:28

41:28

John Collins examines the growing challenges facing U.S. forensic science laboratories as federal funding programs come under political pressure in Washington. Drawing on decades of experience as a former laboratory administrator and current leadership coach, Collins explores how dependence on federal grants has affected laboratory budgets, priorit…

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Acura Drops Model, Dodge EV Impresses, Big Ram Changes for 2026 54:51

4M ago54:51

54:51

Brendan Appel of The Sons of Speed sits in for Jill this week. Brendan and Tom opened the show by complaining about the extreme heat lingering over the Chicago area. Tom then noted that Jill was correct last week when she suggested that Toyota had a 20-percent stake in Subaru. Tom had suggested a lower figure. Still in the first segment, Brendan an…

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New Forester Hybrid, A Conversation with Chrysler CEO Chris Feuell 57:02

4M ago57:02

57:02

Jill and Tom open the show by discussing a rumored new Tesla product for the Chinese market, and the impact of tariffs on Tesla prices in Canada. The hosts also chat briefly about how Chinese EV builder NIO is dealing with battery-swapping “cheaters” in its home market. Still in the first segment, Jill and Tom review the Subaru Forester in new-for-…

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#96: Cyber Hell? A Conversation with Tom Arnold 55:01

4M ago55:01

55:01

In this episode of Crime and the Courtroom, host John Collins speaks with Tom Arnold, a leading expert in digital evidence and cyber crime investigation. Mr. Arnold has led major breach investigations involving thousands of servers and has advised agencies including the U.S. Secret Service. He currently teaches at San Jose State University and the …

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Massive Ford Recalls, Subaru WRX, Best Cars for Teen Drivers 57:30

4M ago57:30

57:30

Jill and Tom opened the show with a brief acknowledgment of the podcast’s apparent popularity in Sweden. Amusingly, the show is described on Poddtroppen—a Swedish podcast download site—as a “Komedie.” Moving on, the hosts discussed yet another—massive—Ford recall. Tom suggests a reason why Ford might be in the trouble its in. Still in the first seg…

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General Motors EV Sales, Driving the BMW iX, Nissan Armada Deep Dive 56:21

5M ago56:21

56:21

Jill and Tom opened the show discussing the demise of the federal electric-vehicle tax credit. The new and used credits expire on September 30. As a result of the credit situation, Nissan has officially announced the delay of two EV crossovers, one each for Nissan and Nissan luxury-division Infiniti. The hosts also discussed Q2 EV sales results. To…

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#95: The Wrongful Conviction of Forensic Science and the Attack on Firearm Identification 1:05:33

4M ago1:05:33

1:05:33

In this episode, John Collins provides a thought-provoking and direct follow-up to episode #94, which covered the Oregon appellate court ruling in State v. Adams. In Adams, the court rejected the science of firearm identification and reversed the conviction. John explains the recent historical forces that have made forensic science a target of crim…

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Future for Fuel Cells, New Honda CR-V Trailsport, Remembering American Motors 56:05

5M ago56:05

56:05

Tom and Jill opened the show welcoming new listeners to the program. June proved to be the Car Stuff Podcast’s best download month yet. Tom went on to share news of hydrogen pockets located underground. Tom noted that were these pocket large enough, and easily accessed, it’s possible that fuel-cell vehicles may play a significant role in future mob…

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#94: Firearm Testimony Blocked by Oregon Appellate Court - A Call to Action 29:31

5M ago29:31

29:31

SPECIAL EPISODE: In a June 2025 decision, the Oregon Court of Appeals delivered a controversial ruling on forensic evidence admissibility in State v. Adams, a case involving a 2018 shooting in Portland. The ruling has been interpreted and reported as a categorical rejection of the method of linking spent shell casings to a particular firearm—common…

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Ram Sweetens Pot, Cadillac Optiq Review, Ranking the Most American Made Vehicles 56:10

5M ago56:10

56:10

Jill and Tom opened up the show by clarifying a point made last week. Indeed, the only Mercedes-Benz wagon offered for sale in the U.S. is the “All-Terrain” variant of the midsize E-class. Tom noted similar wagon offering limitations in the Volvo, Audi, and BMW lineups. The hosts also chatted briefly about Ram’s extended powertrain warranty which t…

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Blazer EV Tweaks, Nissan Murano Review, China's Massive EV Machine 56:28

5M ago56:28

56:28

Jill opened the show briefly recapping here recent travels. Jill’s been on the road training for the next edition of the Rebelle Rally, this time with a new driver/partner and new vehicle. Listen in for details. Tom shared details of a major industry merger, though most consumers won’t be affected. Still, it does involve Mercedes-Benz and Toyota. T…

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#93: The Highly Impressive Expert Witness - Training Priorities and Strategies 48:06

5M ago48:06

48:06

In this coaching session with John Collins, we explore specific priorities and strategies for developing professionals who give courtroom testimony as a part of their normal responsibilities. This episode is useful for accelerating the development of all kinds of expert witnesses, especially forensic laboratory scientists and administrators. Season…

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Hemi is Back, Cybercab Realities, Driving the Rolls-Royce Ghost 55:43

5M ago55:43

55:43

Paul Herrold of the Sons of Speed sits in for Jill this week. Tom opened the show noting Ram’s decision to return the Hemi-brand V8 to the 1500 powertrain lineup. Ram had replaced the engine with a more powerful and efficient turbocharged six, but customers have rejected the new motor. Still in the first segment, Paul recaps his time in the 2025 Ro…

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Three Quick SUV Reviews, Huge Ford Recall, Best Small Crossovers of 2025 56:27

6M ago56:27

56:27

Jill and Tom are joined in-studio this week by colleague Ed Piotrowski. Ed recently wrote a piece for Consumer Guide regarding premium small crossovers he spent time with at this year’s Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally. Ed shared his impressions of the new Acura ADX, sporty Alfa-Romeo Tonale, and speedy BMW X3. Jill also attended t…

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#92: Evaluating Expertise in an Era of Compromised Integrity - A Coaching Session 42:06

5M ago42:06

42:06

In this coaching session with John Collins, we discuss the problem of placing our trust in subject-matter experts in a time when it seems that integrity has gone out of style. John offers some solutions and strategies for how to be more effective in screening the individual expertise, competence, and character of individuals who claim to be experts…

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EV Sales Growth, All-New RAV4, Ford Auto-Tech Scholarships 53:40

6M ago53:40

53:40

Tom is flying solo this week. He opened the show noting that Tesla is now accepting the Cybertruck in trade, though owners aren’t happy about the trade-in values, which are running around 60 percent of original prices. Tom noted that EV sales have been strong in the first quarter of 2025, though may finally be slowing down. Tom shared a list of the…

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Cybertruck Tires, New Ford Expedition, Working at a Start-up Auto Company 57:01

6M ago57:01

57:01

Jill and Tom opened the show by talking about Toyota’s new-for-2026 electric-vehicle lineup. The changes include revised model names, and smaller and larger companions for the maker’s existing—and also updated—bZ compact EV. Tom talked about a recently published article which claims that the Tesla Cybertruck is wearing through tires in as little as…

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#91: Psychopaths and Copycats - A Conversation with Dr. Jacqueline Helfgott 56:00

6M ago56:00

56:00

Jacqueline Helfgott is the Director of the Crime and Justice Research Center at Seattle University and the author of "Copycat Crime: How Media, Technology, and Digital Culture Inspire Criminal Behavior and Violence." In this episode, Dr. Helfgott speaks with John Collins about the subject of psychopathy and how prevalent it is across the human popu…

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Genesis GV70, Driving other Peoples' Cars, Strange Volkswagen Recall (Full hour) 56:40

6M ago56:40

56:40

Tom opened the show with an apology for two mistakes he’s made in the past couple of weeks. Listen in for the corrections. Jill and Tom went on to share a tariff update, as well news regarding one of the strangest recalls…ever. So, what’s wrong with the Volkswagen ID. Buzz’s back seat? Listen in for details. Still in the first segment, Jill shares …

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Taking Huge Steps of Faith with Tom Appel 54:47

6M ago54:47

54:47

Tom and his wife took a leap of faith by moving to the UK in the early 2000s. No plan, no job, just trusting the Lord. Fast forward 20 years and now they are still taking big steps of faith and life is even more of an adventure. Now in the Normandy region of France, their family is on full-time mission. In this episode, Tom shares his heart for ref…

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Bronco Sport Sasquatch, Self-Driving Hondas, Tanking Tesla Resale Values 53:19

7M ago53:19

53:19

Jill and Tom opened the show noting that of all the car brands affected by the trade tariffs, Buick and Volvo are in a particularly tough spot. Listen in to hear why. Tom made note of all the EV fast charging news of late, and suggests that listeners not get too excited by the hype. Per Tom, the nation's current electric grid will not be easily tap…

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#90: A Conversation with Jeff Asher on Crime Data, Trends, and Reporting Challenges 32:07

7M ago32:07

32:07

John Collins speaks with Jeff Asher, a data-analytics expert and Substack writer specializing in - as Jeff puts it - crime, data, and crime data. Jeff has an impressive history working in the Department of Defense and the CIA, among others. In this episode, John and Jeff discuss the measurement of crime in the United States, how it is done, and the…

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2025 Consumer Guide Best Buys 53:43

7M ago53:43

53:43

Join Tom and guest host Brendan Appel of the Sons of Speed for this year’s Consumer Guide Best Buy episode of the Car Stuff Podcast. Tom and Brendan run down the list of 37 vehicles in 16 classes, each of which deserves a place on your new-car shopping list. If you are currently shopping for a new car, you need to listen to this episode. Following …

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Homeless Lotus, Ford's Frisky Lobo, Controversial Subaru Outback Redesign 55:50

7M ago55:50

55:50

Jill and Tom opened the show talking about Jill’s recent move. Good news, she’s now closer to the studio. Tom went on to discuss British sports-car maker/engineering firm Lotus, which has been owned by a number of carmakers over the years. It appears that Lotus is again up for sale. The hosts also discussed a new round of Tesla Cybertruck price cut…

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#89: Dr. Nancy La Vigne - A Conversation with the Dean of Rutgers' School of Criminal Justice 45:27

7M ago45:27

45:27

Nancy La Vigne is the Dean of the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice, based at the campus in Newark, New Jersey. In this episode of Crime and the Courtroom, John Collins and Dr. La Vigne discuss her new responsibilities at Rutgers, as well as contemporary priorities in criminal justice research, technology, and education. Dr. La Vigne also shares h…

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Unwanted Cybertrucks, Jeff Bezos Goes After Tesla, Pontiac Fiero Backstory 54:52

7M ago54:52

54:52

Jill opened the show talking about her new Rebelle Rally team. Listen in for details. Tom shared some information about a not-for-profit organization that packages sundry products for patients undergoing Chemotherapy. The packages include items to help recipients deal with chemo side effects, including loss of taste, dry skin, and dehydration. You …

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Serving the Local Church to the Global Church with Alex King 54:50

7M ago54:50

54:50

Alex grew up loving and cherishing his local church family. As he grew in relationship to Christ, he sensed God was calling him to serve the global Church. In this episode, we discuss Alex's first steps serving his local church and then his first steps serving the Church around the world. With a summer in Birmingham serving at Oikos church and then…