How second nature profanity has become in our society & even in Congress.

The way that we speak reflects the way that we feel.

Swearing is “lazy language.”

Cursing is an excuse for thinking.

Judy Gruen talks about being a religious Jew who tries to avoid exposing herself to flagrant profanity, including by comedians.

The sinful nature of cursing

Fred gives biblical examples-quotes Scripture verses.

Parents are the first teachers and it’s best not to curse in front of your your children.

Judy then gives advice on how to talk to children about cursing even if it comes from their mommy or daddy. Teach your children that “words can create worlds or destroy worlds.” Judy talks about how she wanted her words to count for the good is one reason she writes on faith issues.

How we turn the tide of reversing the cursing trend that is so prevalent. How she became aware how much cursing has become so prevalent. She recalls a specific incident in a parking lot when she was with her children.

Why she thinks the issue is broader than cursing alone. The broader issue is that we’ve become used to saying what is the first thing that pops into our head especially on social media. She advises us that we all need to be more disciplined and actually stop to think before speaking.

How vulgar and coarse has become thought of in the public as somehow sophisticated. She’s puzzled by that trend.

We then pivoted the conversation to her new book, Bylines & Blessings, and how she came to write one. It deals with the push/pull of being a stay-at-home mother and professional journalist. How to balance motherhood and a professional life.

There is a lot of humor in this book and how she believes humor is a life tool.

She then goes on to discuss other books she published and that she is a accomplished editor. How writing teaches one how to speak. Clear thinking leads to clear writing and speaking. She advises to slow everything down. Too much happens too fast and we’d all be better off.

How times have changed whereby there are fewer & fewer censors to police the language.

What book influenced her to be a writer? She loved the humorous & columnist Erma Bombeck. She expounds upon Bombeck’s influence. She explains how humor is a balm and how it helps heal especially, like her, how it helped her through personal tragedy.

We then discussed what the future of the print media is like newspapers, magazines and books.

We then talked about coaching young writers and where to look for good writing such as her Substack & the Free Press.

Judy then talked about the public speaking aspect of her career. She often talks about the intersection of a personal life and professional life and utilizing faith as a undergirding value.

She then encourages people to find a creative outlet no matter what you are creating. “Creativity is energy.” Find ways to creatively share what you have to share.

Don’t be intimidated by your creative status. Go for it no matter what!

She relates how she overcame such intimidation at a conference when she was sandwiched between two more prominent speakers. How she learned to be real as a writer and speaker. And, how to be honest with yourself and your audience.

How to use New Media as a tool for furthering your message.

Wrapped It Up….

How we all need to work together to push back against the culture,