New year, more Still Processing, beginning Jan 15!

Next gathering: “Climate Collapse,” with Dr Steven Bouma-Prediger, January 15, 2026, 7pm (6pm happy hour), Port 393, Holland

We were barely 48 hours into 2026, when we found out that we were at war. Or were we? Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth are running Venezuela? Cuba is next? Greenland?

This is madness, of course, but it is our reality.

Still Processing is committed to living in reality, even when it is maddening, uncomfortable, and confusing. We need to learn to live in reality.

But there are forces in the media, the government, religious institutions, corporate America, that seek to deny reality for the sake of wealth and power. We have to build new institutions that are committed to reality.

Listen to Sarah Longwell, former Republican strategist who has left the Republican party and helped to start a new media company that I love, called The Bulwark.

When I heard Sarah mention the need to start new things that can help people separate reality from propaganda, I thought of Still Processing.

Check out these two paragraphs from Kristin Du Mez’s latest post. Kristin has twice been a guest at Still Processing.

Again, I thought of Still Processing. So much of what we do is “to discern, contextualize, and amplify trusted information.” We have worked hard to earn the trust of our audience. We bring in individuals of great intellect, character, and decency.

We hope that you will support us with your money, presence, encouragement, and criticism.

Here’s what is coming in the next few months.

We have two gatherings in January, two in February, and two in March. The first gathering of every month will focus on a single topic.

On January 15 we have Dr. Bouma-Prediger with us to discuss climate collapse. All of our events will be at Port 393 in Holland, Michigan. The main event always starts at 7pm, but you are welcome to come as early as 6pm for drinks, snacks, and conversation.

In February we will discuss race, specifically critical race theory, with Dr. Rodrigo Serrāo. In March, we have Chris Teague to teach us about the therapeutic uses of psychedelics.

The second gathering of January, February, and March will be devoted to culture and current events. We plan to combine serious analysis with some joy and some laughter. We will talk through what’s happening in our community, our country, and the world.

Sarah Leach, local journalist, will join me on January 22. In February we will have political strategist Kate Kooyman. And in March it will be me and my dad, Marlin.

Thanks for your support of Still Processing. I hope to see you or hear from you soon.