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You Can’t Expel Hope

Episode Description

Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson and Moms Demand Action Tennessee Chapter Leader Barbara Esteves-Moore join Movement Builders to talk about their work to save lives in a state with one of the highest rates of gun deaths in the country. Barbara shares more about her chapter’s work with judges across the state to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, and Rep. Pearson talks about his journey to public office and the bills he’s working on in the state legislature. For both of these gun violence prevention advocates, the fight is personal. In the wake of the horrific mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville on March 27, 2023, Rep. Pearson and two other Tennessee Democrats joined thousands of people, including Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers, in protesting Republican lawmakers’ inaction on gun safety legislation. Known as the “Tennessee Three,” Reps. Pearson, Justin Jones and Gloria Johnson spoke truth to power, and for their role in the protest, Reps. Jones and Pearson were expelled from the legislature before being re-elected by voters soon after and continuing their fight to save lives.


Local author releases deeply personal book about his faith

Nashville, Tenn. — Gary Aldridge recently released his first book, Seeking Connection with God, a deeply personal book about his faith journey, his relationship with God and his desire to help others – especially his two sons – connect with God.

Aldridge, who is a long-time CFO and valuation advisor, spent 10 years writing the book that began as a letter to his sons.

“My hope is that my sons, and everyone who reads the book, will use this as a starting point in their own faith journey,” said Aldridge, who grew up in Mississippi and is a lifelong student of the Bible. “I’m not a preacher, but I love to tell stories. I have always used stories to teach in my professional life, so it felt natural to tell my faith story here.”

Seeking Connection with God, published by Brentwood Press, is a raw account of life’s ups and downs. It takes readers a step deeper, however, asking questions that prompt reflection and introspection about one’s own beliefs. The book is broken down into four sections: the “mechanics” of faith, Aldridge’s personal spiritual journey, Bible stories and other stories and anecdotes that bring some Christian concepts to life.

Aldridge writes in pictures that are clear to see, understand, and remember. His stories are “true tales” about his encounters with signs, witch doctors, a converted Soviet scientist, a converted Muslim, the mule whisperer, faith and forgiveness. He also shares the most important word in scripture and questions he believes are NOT asked when we get to heaven.

“It is my prayer that this will help book will help readers connect with God and grow to know Him for who He truly is,” Aldridge said.

Seeking Connection with God is available at Amazon and Kindle. Learn more at seekingconnectionwithgod.com.

Download the companion journal here.