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.

Route Notes is a weekly podcast hosted by David Tillman and Wesley Rich. Each episode dives into leadership, systems thinking, and the messy realities of making change—whether in organizations, communities, or everyday life. Smart, reflective, and occasionally funny on purpose. New episodes weekly on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.