Download Audio MP3 | 00:58:19

Josh, Tim, and Rachel continue a multi-part series on how to be an effective pro-life advocate on social media. In this episode they begin a series of 35 practical tips in five categories.

Here are the tips covered in this episode:

General Strategy

1. Move to PM or in person as soon as possible, and then to Skype/in-person soon after that. Once you’re in PM, get personal.
2. Make minimal persuasion goals. It’s more of a marathon on Facebook than outreach.
3. Make limited claims.

Mindset

1. Be aware of the lack of nonverbal communication. It’s just your text and your profile pic if they don’t know you. Given that, you need to write a little bit as a caricature of yourself so that after it’s been filtered, it comes out fairly accurately.
2. Post things with pro-choice people in mind. Will it make pro-lifers raise their fists but cause pro-choice people to be frustrated and less likely to talk to you, your friends, and all the other pro-lifers? Then don’t share it.
3. Assume the best about people. 
4. Take a step back if you’re feeling defensive.

Sorry about the occasional coughing you’ll hear in the background. Some of the team had colds while we recorded this episode.

Related Links:

• YouTube: AwakenWithJP – Being a Social Justice Warrior
• YouTube: Fmr. Facebook Exec: Social Media Ripping Apart Society, “You are programmed.” (Uncensored)
• YouTube: Anonymous – This will Change Everything You Know (Longer video with more clips like the one from the Facebook exec)
• YouTube: Glenn Loury on Mass Incarceration in the United States (Part 1 of 7)
• YouTube: The Office – Whomever Debate

Download Audio MP3 | 00:40:37

Josh, Tim, and Rachel continue a multi-part series on how to be an effective pro-life advocate on social media. In this episode Tim discusses virtue-signaling. What is it? Are there different types? Are some of them actually okay? And when is it a valid or helpful accusation?

Related Links:

• Timothy Brahm for the ERI Blog: On Virtue-Signaling
• Reddit: r/IAmVerySmart, a subreddit about people trying too hard to look smart.
• Timothy Brahm for the ERI Blog: Fellow Pro-Lifers: Please Stop Sharing This Straw Man Meme

Subscribe to the Equipped for Life Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe to ERI’s other podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Download Audio MP3 | 00:52:26

Josh, Tim, and Rachel begin a multi-part series on how to be an effective pro-life advocate on social media. They begin the series by talking about some of the obstacles that often prevent good dialogue from happening on social media, like image management.

The episode begins with a discussion of our favorite Facebook pages. If you don’t want to hear any of this, skip to 08:18.

Related Links:

• Facebook Page: Ecclesia Dei Strikes Back
• Facebook Page: The Babylon Bee
• See the Equipped for Life Podcast 14 on Relational Apologetics Personal Stories and Reflections
• CollegeHumor: If People Left Parties Like They Leave Facebook
• ABC News YouTube Channel: Ashton Kutcher Speech on Human Trafficking Before Congress
• Vanity Fair: Why Anthony Hopkins Will Never Write Another Actor Fan Mail Again

Subscribe to the Equipped for Life Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe to ERI’s other podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Download Audio MP3 | 00:56:17

Josh, Tim, and Rachel talk about how to respond to the Freakonomics argument that abortion has resulted in a drop in crime rates, as well as a new technique Josh has been using when talking to utilitarians.

The episode begins with a discussion of various theories at to Rey’s parentage in the Star Wars universe, in anticipation of “The Last Jedi” coming out. This discussion includes spoilers of “The Force Awakens” and some of what has been learned through “The Last Jedi” trailers, so skip the discussion if you’re avoiding all potential spoilers. Some of this discussion has been moved to a deleted scene below, but if you don’t want to hear any of this discussion, skip to 09:59.

Subscribe to the Equipped for Life Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe to ERI’s other podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Download Audio MP3 | 00:46:49

Josh, Tim, and Rachel respond to a bunch of listener mail questions related to the burning IVF lab thought experiment, particularly the concern that it’s too easy for pro-choice people to get traction with strawmen tweets when pro-life people have to answer with longer, more thoughtful responses that fewer people will read.

Related Links:

• • Tim Brahm for the ERI Blog: Four Practical Tips for Responding to the Burning Fertility Clinic
  • Robert George for Public Discourse: Embryos and Five-Year-Olds: Whom to Rescue
  • Josh Brahm for the ERI Blog: Understanding What Richard Dawkins Actually Believes About Abortion and Down Syndrome
  • Josh Brahm for the ERI Blog: Richard Dawkins Retweeted My Article, and What We Can Learn From That
  • Facebook: Dank Pro-Life Memes

Subscribe to the Equipped for Life Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe to ERI’s other podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.