The Stephen Mansfield Podcast

Over the last two weeks, more than 30 million names from marital-infidelity networking site "Ashley Madison" have been leaked online by hackers. Claiming the act was in retribution for the website's "Full Delete" service, which allegedly claimed to scrub all user data from the site without actually doing so, the hackers released users' names, email addresses, physical descriptions, and detailed sexual preferences. Politicians, celebrities and everyday citizens are among the victims of the fallout, the worst of which includes two suicides. In today's episode, Stephen breaks down the male psychology behind extramarital affairs. Whether inspired by boredom, infatuation or immaturity, an affair is always preventable. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of Joey Yee on Flickr[/custom_font]

As a New York Times best-selling author, Stephen has a couple of decades' worth of writing experience. And his upcoming book, a work of about 70,000 words, has put him in the writing chair for a more-than-usual amount of time. For this week's episode, he's come up with a few useful improvements to the writing process—with the help of some friends, of course. Check out today's podcast to boost the productivity levels of your own writing, or your creative process in general. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']Image courtesy of Idintify Media for Chartwell Literary Group[/custom_font]

The first Republican primary debate is behind us, and it seems that a certain narcissist in the real estate industry stole the show—according to major media, that is. This podcast focuses on more serious matters. In this episode, Stephen breaks down the basics of media training. Or, how to behave on stage in a live-television context, aimed at a political culture of aesthetic, professionalism and positive imagery. [vc_separator type='transparent' position='center' color='' thickness='3' up='' down=''] As the campaign rolls along, this podcast will follow the cultural issues as closely as ever, but this week holds an analysis of body language, grooming and basic public speaking decency when running for political office. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of DonkeyHotey et. al. on Flickr[/custom_font]

Recently released videos of Planned Parenthood officials discussing the harvesting of organs from “fetal matter” have stirred widespread controversy. Anti-abortion advocates in Congress have unsuccessfully attempted to defund Planned Parenthood, a move they will likely attempt again soon. In this podcast, Stephen reminds listeners that while the recent videos are horrific, their main offense has been to describe and depict the kind of abortions that have been legal in America for decades. Stephen also tells a surprising personal story about abortion. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of Fibonacci Blue on Flickr[/custom_font]

Some people are far too eager to believe any bad news that circulates on the internet. It seems that some folks just want to stand on the rubble of Western civilization and say, “I told you so!” Any bad news is good news to them. In this podcast, Stephen explains the dangers of running with bad news and conspiracy theories simply for the sake of fanning the flames.   [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of Krysten Newby on Flickr[/custom_font]

The morning after Dylann Roof murdered nine people in the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Charleston, South Carolina, all of the flags on South Carolina State House grounds went to half-staff—except for one. So began the current nationwide debate about the Confederate flag. More chillingly, Roof had draped himself in that flag in Facebook photos and he seemed to champion the cause that flag represents. In this podcast, Stephen dips into the history of the Confederacy a bit and then gives his firm views on the matter. What he contends most passionately is that the debate about the Confederate flag has distracted us from a more substantial debate about racism in America. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']Image courtesy of NBC News[/custom_font]

The Supreme Court has recently included same sex marriage in the official U.S. definition of marriage. Even defenders of same sex marriage realize that the ruling is only a beginning to what may be a refashioning of American society through the vehicle of American law. Stephen explains in this podcast the inevitability of the Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges case and what it will likely mean in the years to come. He speaks in particular to the challenges that are now facing religious institutions and chaplains in the U.S. military. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of Ted Eytan on Flickr[/custom_font]

These days, it's hard to deny that there’s simply too much information out there. So how can you keep up to date without drowning in the noise? Stephen provides more than a few techniques and technological innovations to help you personalize the way you get your news. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of CAFNR on Flickr[/custom_font]

Though the Democratic Party seems aligned behind Hillary Clinton as its frontrunner in the 2016 presidential race, Republicans are not nearly as unified. Some sixteen GOP candidates are likely to run, which could leave the party divided, weary and financially exhausted before the general election even begins. In this podcast, Stephen explains his concern for the current state of the Republican party. The 2016 presidential election could be a Republican victory. Given the looming Republican primary season, a GOP victory in 2016 is going to be very difficult. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']CC image courtesy of DonkeyHotey on Flickr[/custom_font]

Americans have a tendency to think that anyone who commits an act of extreme violence is insane. It means we don’t have to deal with the causes of the violence, that the solution is an institution and keeping the criminally insane comfortably out of view. [vc_separator type='transparent' position='center' color='' thickness='' up='' down=''] Yet violence does not require insanity, nor does extreme hate. In the case of Dylann Roof and his killing of nine people in a Charleston church on June 17, 2015, the evidence so far indicates that he simply hates blacks and wants them all dead. Even his lawyer has said Roof knew right from wrong, knew the morality of what he was doing. This means we have an opportunity to examine the racial hatred that is an undercurrent of our society and to perhaps have a season of healing in America. [vc_separator type='transparent' position='center' color='' thickness='' up='' down=''] In this episode, Stephen provides a personal testament to the clear and present racism that has plagued American society for hundreds of years, and calls for the murder conviction of Dylann Roof. [custom_font font_family='Open Sans' font_size='11' line_height='26' font_style='none' text_align='left' font_weight='300' color='' background_color='' text_decoration='none' text_shadow='no' padding='0px' margin='0px']Image courtesy of CNN[/custom_font]