Interesting ideas with Stan Hustad

When the Lights Go Out in Tucson, What Do We See?

Some ideas don't announce themselves with flashing lights. In fact, this one is about what happens when the lights aren't there at all. This week on Inconvenient Ideas, I found myself talking about Tucson, Arizona — a place my wife Karen and I once called home for nearly sixteen years — and a current news story that stopped me cold. An elderly woman has gone missing in Tucson. She happens to be the mother of a very well-known broadcaster, which is why the story caught national attention. But what really caught my attention was something deeper, quieter, and frankly more unsettling. Light pollution. Or rather… the lack of it. If you've never lived in Tucson, you might not know this: much of the city — especially the desert communities — is intentionally dark. No streetlights. Limited exterior lighting. Strict rules designed to protect the night sky. Tucson is one of the great stargazing cities in the world, home to observatories, astronomers, and people who truly treasure the stars. When Karen and I moved there from Minnesota, one of the first things we noticed was how dark it was at night. At first, we thought something was broken. Nope. It was by design. And once we adjusted, we fell in love with it. Dark skies. Brilliant stars. Quiet nights. Space to breathe. But here's the inconvenient part. Darkness, while beautiful and good for the soul, can also hide things. It can obscure danger. And in scattered desert neighborhoods — where homes are tucked into the landscape and security lights are rare — it raises hard questions about safety, vulnerability, and unintended consequences. That tension is what this episode explores. I share stories from our years in the desert: walking at night with a flashlight because you had to, being stopped by security if you didn't have one, learning to live with coyotes, javelinas, bobcats, and yes, the occasional mountain lion triggering motion lights. I talk about the peace of sitting under the stars with no music, no noise, just silence — and how much I miss that. And then I zoom out. Because this isn't really just about Tucson. It's about the balance we all have to strike between clarity and safety, beauty and realism, solitude and responsibility. It's about knowing when darkness is restorative — and when it might be hiding something we need to pay attention to. Even Jesus, we're told, regularly withdrew from the noise, the crowds, and the chaos to find strength in quiet places. But the Gospels also remind us that darkness isn't neutral. Every place — even the most beautiful — carries the full range of human nature. This episode isn't alarmist. It's reflective. It's honest. And yes, a little inconvenient. I close the program with a reminder that ideas matter — because ideas start things. Movements. Conversations. Changes. And if you have an inconvenient, interesting, or maybe even inspiring idea, I'd love to hear it. We're always looking for thoughtful guests, bold voices, and people who want to make things move instead of just making noise. You can reach me anytime at stan@witradio.net [stan@witradio.net]. And if you're curious about learning how to use radio, podcasting, or video to tell your story — to build a business, a message, or a meaningful presence — that's part of what I do too. After more than four decades behind the microphone, I'm still convinced this is one of the most powerful tools for good if it's used well. So step into the conversation. Turn down the noise. And once in a while… don't be afraid of the dark — just be wise about it. Blessings to you, and thanks for listening. — Stan

Would Jesus Use AI? Faith, Technology, and the Future of Meaningful Work

Just for fun this a 3rd person article but written by me In a world racing toward artificial intelligence, automation, and unprecedented technological power, a provocative question is quietly unsettling leaders, entrepreneurs, and everyday workers alike: If Jesus were here today, would He use AI in his work and business? That question sits at the heart of a recent episode of The Jesus Entrepreneur Experience, a weekly exploration that looks at the life and leadership of Jesus not only as a spiritual figure — but as a model for meaningful, mission-driven entrepreneurship. Hosted by veteran broadcaster and business performance coach Stan Hustad, the program challenges listeners to rethink success, work, and contribution in an age where technology increasingly shapes the marketplace. Rather than offering simplistic answers, the episode invites careful reflection. Jesus built his mission without exploiting supernatural shortcuts. He worked within human limits, relied on relationships, gathered people, developed leaders, and focused relentlessly on purpose. His approach resembles an entrepreneurial model grounded in wisdom, restraint, and human dignity. The episode acknowledges both the promise and peril of AI. Used wisely, it can enhance creativity and productivity. Used recklessly, it can erode meaning, displace workers, and magnify harm. If Jesus were here today, the program suggests, He would not reject AI out of fear nor embrace it uncritically. He would study it carefully, seek wise counsel, and ask whether it contributes to human flourishing. Above all, He would pray. The episode reminds listeners that meaningful work is deeply human — craftsmanship, service, risk, and responsibility. Entrepreneurs are challenged to examine whether their businesses truly help people flourish or merely function as rackets. In an era of rapid change, The Jesus Entrepreneur Experience offers realism, wisdom, and hope by reminding us that the most important questions are still worth asking. This is an AI based quick summary that the video program that I did that goes into far more details about Jesus and the AI and if you'd like to watch that program just click the link below. https://youtu.be/f-ghCLyteVU [https://youtu.be/f-ghCLyteVU]

Seven Words to Think About During the Storm

The storm is coming. You can feel it—not just outside, but everywhere. Schools closing. Churches canceling. Flights disappearing from the board like magic tricks gone wrong. We're all being gently (or not so gently) told: stay home, stay put, stay warm. Which is exactly what I'm doing—sitting in my little radio studio, which also happens to be a television studio, a video studio, and a worldwide broadcasting station. No tower. No transmitter building. No million-dollar equipment. Just a good microphone, a decent camera, an internet connection, and a lifetime spent loving radio. I started in the kind of radio that had mystery and majesty—big towers, humming transmitters, and studios that felt like sacred ground. There was romance in it. There still is. Old radio guys even swap pictures of their favorite towers now, like proud grandparents showing photos of the grandkids. Guilty as charged. But radio has changed. And in some wonderful ways, it's come home. Now, during a snowstorm, you can sit in your own house and be on the radio. You can speak to the world from a spare bedroom, a basement, or a corner of the living room—just like I'm doing right now. And that matters, because a lot of people have something to say, something to sing, something to teach, or some wisdom worth sharing. They just needed permission and a microphone. Which brings me to the storm—and the pause it gives us. When weather forces us to slow down, it also gives us space to think. To read. To pray. To wonder a little about the life we're living… and the life we still want to live. I've made a commitment that 2026 is going to matter. I want it to be significant—for my family, my community, and the people kind enough to listen in on my life and work. And as I was sitting here waiting for the storm, seven simple words came to mind. Not fancy words. Not complicated words. Just honest ones. Here they are. Don't rush past them. Let each one ask you a question. Better. What, exactly, do you want to be better at this year? Beautiful. What do you want more of that brings beauty into your life—or that you bring into the world? Bright. Not smarter—brighter. More alive. More visible. More you. Bolder. Where have you been playing it safe when you know you're meant to step forward? Braver. What fear are you finally ready to face? Richer. Yes, maybe financially—but also richer in relationships, meaning, gratitude, and joy. Smarter… and Wiser. Not the same thing. Smarter fills your head. Wiser shapes your life. And then there's the one underneath them all: Matter. We all want to matter. We were made for meaning. We were designed to make a difference. That's not ego—that's wiring. So while the snow falls and the world quiets down a bit, maybe these seven words are worth sitting with. Let your mind talk to your heart. Let your heart speak to your future. As I often ask: Are you living the life you want—or just the life you've got? Storms have a way of clarifying things. Stay safe. Stay warm. Comfort one another. And maybe—even in the middle of the storm—find a little comfort and joy. All the best and blessings, Stan Things to Remember - Storms slow us down so reflection can catch up - You don't need a tower to have a voice - Meaning often shows up in simple words Things to Share - The seven words that resonated most with you - This question: Which one am I ignoring? - The idea that 2026 is still wide open Things to Take Note Of (and Act On) - Write the seven words down - Circle the one that scares you a little - Take one small step toward it—after the storm Snow days are good for productivity too. ❄️🎙️

If Jesus were in the IDF today... What kind of soldier or man do you think he would be?

In a culture crowded with slogans, outrage, and instant opinions, a recent radio program in The Jesus Entrepreneur Experience does something surprisingly rare: it asks people to stop, imagine, and think. The program poses a single, provocative question—not to shock or inflame, but to awaken reflection: If Jesus were here today—now, in our time and place—and if He were a young man living in Israel, what kind of man would He be if required to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces? The result is a thoughtful, TED-Talk-length exploration that bridges history, faith, entrepreneurship, and the human condition—without preaching, ranting, or political positioning. Making Jesus Real—Not Distant At the heart of the program is a simple but profound concern: Jesus is real, but too often He feels unreal to modern people. For many, Jesus exists only in stained glass, ancient texts, or distant history—long ago, in a far-away land. The broadcast challenges that distance by re-anchoring Jesus in real life: born into political oppression, raised in an occupied land, a refugee as a child, a working tradesman and small-business owner, and a man without elite credentials, yet deeply competent and respected. Rather than asking the worn question "What would Jesus do?", the program reframes it in a more personal and practical way: What would Jesus do if He were you? The Thought Experiment: Jesus and the IDF In modern Israel, military service is not hypothetical. It is a reality of citizenship and survival. If Jesus were living there today as a young man, He would almost certainly be required to serve. The broadcast carefully avoids spectacle or sensationalism. There are no images of Jesus firing weapons or raging in battle. Instead, listeners are invited to imagine Him as calm, centered, and courageous—fully human, facing fear and duty. The question is not what position He would take, but what kind of man He would be. Character Over Certainty Rather than offering conclusions, the program offers mirrors. By refusing to answer the question for the audience, the program creates space for honest self-examination. The Entrepreneurial Connection Jesus spent nearly two decades as a working tradesman before beginning His public ministry. In modern terms, He lived most of His life as a small-business owner—serving clients, mastering skills, managing work, and earning trust. From this perspective, the term Jesus Entrepreneur is not irreverent—it is illuminating. Things to Remember - Jesus was fully real—historically, socially, economically. - Character is revealed under pressure. Things Worth Sharing - Thoughtful questions invite deeper conversations than fixed positions. - Understanding people is the foundation of influence. Things to Take Note Of and Act On - Examine what your assumptions say about you. - Practice leading with conscience, not just competence. Closing Challenge If Jesus were here today—walking our streets, facing our pressures—what kind of man would He be? And what kind of person are you becoming? For more information about The Jesus Entrepreneur Experience or working with Stan Hustad, reach out and continue the conversation.

More Than a Name: The Title of the Man and the Faith Behind Dr. King's Legacy

In this special birthday-commemoration edition of Inconvenient Ideas, broadcaster Stan Hustad invites listeners to pause, reconsider, and remember something easily overlooked in the story of one of America's greatest heroes: the full and formative identity of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The program opens with a light, affectionate nod to radio history and the marvel of modern podcasting—how a single voice can now circle the globe without towers, transmitters, or billion-dollar budgets. From there, the focus turns to the meaning of this national holiday and to the man it honors. The heart of the episode centers on a deceptively simple but surprisingly powerful idea: "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." was not his complete title. His full and proper designation was the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. That distinction matters. Listeners are reminded that King was not merely a civil-rights strategist, political activist, or moral philosopher—though he was all of those. First and always, he was a Christian minister. His authority flowed from the pulpit to the people and into the public square. His sermons, marches, and moral clarity were not parallel tracks; they were one unified calling rooted in faith. With warmth and candor, the program reflects on the shock of King's assassination, the brutality of the moment, and the lasting imprint it left on a generation. From there, the story widens to reveal an often-missed spiritual lineage behind King's philosophy of nonviolence. That path leads to missionary-evangelist E. Stanley Jones, whose writings on Mahatma Gandhi deeply influenced King's thinking. Through Jones's work, King encountered a practical theology of nonviolent resistance—one he embraced, embodied, and ultimately gave his life to defend. Along the way, the program maintains a gentle, conversational tone—personal anecdotes, naming stories, and moments of humor included—while never losing sight of the central message: to honor Dr. King fully, we must acknowledge the spiritual foundation that shaped his life and leadership. Things to Remember • Dr. King's full title—the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—tells a deeper story than "Dr." alone. • His faith was not an accessory to his work; it was its source. • King's commitment to nonviolence was shaped by Christian conviction and global spiritual influence. Things to Share • King's sermons and public actions were one integrated calling. • The civil-rights movement drew strength from theology, not just strategy. • Faith-driven leadership can reshape nations without resorting to violence. Things to Take Note Of (and Act Upon) • Language matters: how we name people reflects how we understand them. • Spiritual roots are often edited out of public memory—but they still matter. • Nonviolence is not weakness; it is disciplined moral courage. A Closing Challenge As you listen to this program, consider the ways we simplify history to make it more comfortable—or less demanding. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. challenges us not only to remember his dream, but to reckon with its source. What might change in our own lives, leadership, or communities if conviction once again shaped courage—and faith informed action? 26 Blessings on his memory, his family, and all who continue the work of justice, courage, and nonviolent love.