TRUCE PODCAST
how we got here and how we can do better.
What Is Truce?
Truce uses journalistic tools to look inside the Christian church to explore how we got here and how we can do better. Context is key. Many of us are troubled by what they see in the news and how Christianity is portrayed in the public square. Without context, these events seem like random attacks against an innocent church. Truce helps us take a step back and examine ourselves and our history. To apologize, to correct, to satisfy our curiosity, and to stand firm in Christ.
Our goal is a humble, informed church. An “ask not what society can do for church, but what the church can do for society” approach. We believe that the church does best when it is in servant mode and not seeking to rule the world.
We strive to provide high-quality, well-researched, informative, and engaging podcasts to equip Christians and attract those who do not yet believe.
Favorite Episodes
Multi-Level Marketing, and Pyramid Schemes
The Influencer Economy
Girolamo Savonarola:
One Man Against the Renaissance
How Women Stopped the Drink and Gained the Vote
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About The Host
Chris Staron is the award-winning filmmaker behind Bringing up Bobby and Between the Walls. He’s also the author of the dramatic Christian thriller Cradle Robber. His heart is for people who are on the outside edges of popular Christianity: the under-represented, the skeptics, those hurt by the church. Truce is a vehicle to express the unmet needs of the outsiders. When he’s not juggling multiple episodes at the same time, Chris enjoys hiking, cross country skiing, improv comedy, and teaching Sunday school.
Check out Chris’ book Cradle Robber and movie Bringing Up Bobby on Amazon.
From the blog
The Amway Decision. The Federal Trade Commission decided that Amway was not an illegal pyramid scheme, but a legitimate business. How did that happen? Why is it important. This week on the Truce Podcast we’re joined once again by Robert Fitzpatrick of Pyramid Scheme Alert (https://pyramidschemealert.org/), author of Ponzinomics to explore the history of MLMs.
Also in this episode is a brief history of the founders of Amway: Richard DeVos and Jay VanAndel. The DeVos name probably sounds familiar. Our current Secretary of Education is Betsy DeVos, daughter-in-law to Richard. She’s made a lot of news in her position because of her stances on charter schools and arming teachers in public schools.
read moreWe know that tying business to religion can be tricky. Think about recent stories involving Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A, or In-N-Out Burger. But what happens when we tie our religion to a business model that just doesn’t work?
That’s what many multi-level marketing (MLM) companies do every day. They saddle distributors with debt and product they can’t sell… often in the name of Jesus. We’re joined once again by Robert Fitzpatrick (https://twitter.com/PyramidAlert) of Pyramidschemealert.org, author of Ponzinomics.
read moreWhat is multi-level marketing? It turns out, it is a very popular business model that targets Christians and other people of faith. But… it is almost guaranteed to fail. Because MLM’s and direct sales companies are not designed to sell a product but to sell the business itself.
Joining us for this episode is Robert Fitzpatrick. He’s the president of Pyramid Scheme Alert and the author of the new book “Ponzinomics: The Untold History of Multi-Level Marketing and How Direct Sales Became an American Swindle”.
read more