You’ve heard the phrase. You’ve probably said it: “Let’s not reinvent the wheel.” But what if that mindset is keeping us from real solutions?

In this episode, Wes and David take a hard look at the cliché—and argue that relying too heavily on other people’s answers can actually short-circuit innovation, especially in rural communities and complex systems.

They unpack:

• Why “not reinventing the wheel” can be lazy leadership
• The dangers of assuming sameness in community solutions
• How starting from scratch invites creativity, ownership, and context
• Why borrowing policies and plans can erode public trust
• The power of starting with a blank sheet and local wisdom

This one’s for the leaders who are tired of copy-paste planning and want to build strategies that actually fit their communities.

In this first installment of a recurring series - Campfire Chat, we gather around the fire to explore Jonathan Haidt’s The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion. Through conversation that weaves together moral psychology, public health, theology, and community engagement, we reflect on what Haidt’s work can teach us about polarization and the limits of reason.

We discuss how moral intuitions often drive human behavior more than evidence or logic—and what that means for professionals working in divided communities. Drawing on real-world examples from public health practice and education, we consider how relationships, trust, and shared values might offer a better path toward understanding and collaboration. This episode also touches on broader questions of relevance facing both the church and higher education, and the importance of reimagining connection in a fragmented world.

What do Jurassic Park, public health, and artificial intelligence have in common? More than you'd think. In this episode, David and Wes take a detour into the ILM docuseries Light & Magic and the story of Phil Tippett—the legendary visual effects artist who thought he was rendered obsolete by CGI, only to find himself more valuable than ever.

Using this moment in film history as a powerful metaphor, they explore the AI revolution in public health, higher education, and everyday work. What happens when the skills we’ve mastered are no longer needed in their original form? What does it mean to transition from stop-motion expert to strategic guide for the future?

If you're a public health professional, educator, or anyone wondering how to stay relevant and human in the age of machines, this one’s for you.