The Spiral: A Weekly Descent into Your Favorite Fixations

006: A Descent into the Lost Art of Small Talk and Its Effect on the World

My good friend Hayley is a firm believer in the power of small talk. People often dread it–the repetitive conversations and vast amount of information thrown at them–but Hayley offers us a different perspective. She posits that small talk is the perfect way to show people that you care and is a natural bridge to deeper conversations when the time calls for them. This episode offers Hayley’s response to how small talk became a lost art and gives you an understanding of how it impacts the world today.

005: A Descent into Math and How It Reflects God

My good friend Isa is one of the most intelligent and godly people I know. She has a deep love of the Lord and relishes the opportunity to connect her faith to every passion of her life. Math is one of those passions. She wholeheartedly believes that math points to God and is actually useful in the practice of apologetics. From an overview of math’s connection to the defense of the Christian faith to a deep-seated wonder at math’s beauty in all of Creation, this episode will give you a greater sense of how math of all things might just reflect God in some of the most beautiful ways.

004: A Descent into Going Analog in 2026 and Using Art as a Creative Outlet

My good friend Sofia has been passionate about going analog in 2026. A lot of people are willing to admit that doomscrolling isn’t a very healthy pastime, but Sofia takes the next step and offers a more restorative solution: the arts. From watercolor to pastels to junk journaling, she has curated a wholesome collection of hobbies that allow her to express herself, but more importantly to delight in God’s lovely gift of creativity. In this episode, you will learn what first gripped Sofia about going analog and discover all the ways art can serve as a refreshing creative outlet.

003: A Descent into Pride and Prejudice and Why It Resonates with People Today

My good friend Caroline is a massive Pride and Prejudice fan. She’s read the book multiple times, watched all the adaptations, and even started her own book club for it! With thoroughly developed characters, valuable life lessons, and a classic charm like no other, Pride and Prejudice is sure to win your affections as well. In this episode, you will hear Caroline express why this book is so meaningful to her and gain an appreciation for why it continues to resonate with people today.

002: A Descent into Outrage Marketing and Its Implications

My good friend Brooke is my go-to expert on all things marketing. She can give you the full scoop on what tactics are most effective, what brands are standouts in their strategy, and what approaches have maybe led to some less-than-ideal audience reactions. From Burger King’s offensive gender jokes (on National Woman’s Day!) to mobile game ads’ incessant ragebait, there is no end to the outrage these companies are willing to generate if it means getting their name out there. In this episode, you’ll catch a glimpse into how these brands use outrage marketing in their most recent advertisements and hear Brooke’s take on the ethical implications of this approach.