The Axe and Scalpel Podcast
The Axe and Scalpel Podcast is here to give a voice to Wisconsin's Northwoods on matters of faith, politics and culture. Longtime radio voice Johnny Velebir hosts Physician and Theologian Dr. Rick Rapp and Dr. Jacob Smith, Practicing Veterinarian and Outdoorsman.
Episodes

Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
We're back in the Beatitudes! Jesus' great sermon on the mount giving unexpected answers to what makes a person "blessed" or happy. Let's get merciful and satisfy our hunger and thirst for righteousness so we can be pure in heart! In today's 3 beatitudes but there's so much to ponder but the payoff, seeing God, is the ultimate prize!
Rate and review on your podcast app! Send us questions, suggestions, feedback, and ideas for guests to interview at axeandscalpelmedia@gmail.com. All opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals and not any organizations they are affiliated with. No medical information or opinions shared should be understood to be personal medical advice by the listener and you are encouraged to discuss your own or your pet's healthcare needs with your own physician or veterinarian.

Monday Apr 21, 2025
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Dr. Rick Rapp and Dr. Jacob Smith have spent their careers "Following the Science". Yet 2000 years ago this week, the world was forever changed by a "supernatural" event in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These two science guys are Believers, and they believe it's "evidence based" to do so. Dr. Jake and Dr. Rick gather on Easter to discuss Christianity, Easter, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from a perspective of rationality, logic, and other nerd-words. The data doesn't lie... Trust us... we're doctors!
Rate and review on your podcast app! Send us questions, suggestions, feedback, and ideas for guests to interview at axeandscalpelmedia@gmail.com. All opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals and not any organizations they are affiliated with. No medical information or opinions shared should be understood to be personal medical advice by the listener and you are encouraged to discuss your own healthcare needs with your own physician or veterinarian.

Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
In this special Monday episode of TheoCuts, Dr. Rick gives a history of Jesus from His presence in the creation story in Genesis to His final week before his crucifixion and resurrection, known to many as Holy Week, beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Sunday. This history shows how Jesus fulfills the promises or covenants God made with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. It shows how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah written hundreds of years before Jesus' life. It shows how Jesus as both fully God and fully human lived a sinless human life, perfectly fulfilling the law and allowing Him to sacrifice His life so that we who believe in Him can have our sins forgiven, receive eternal life in heaven, and a full life here on earth.
If you have any questions about Jesus, desire to get to know Him better you can certainly email us at axeandscalpelmedia@gmail.com, contact a local church, pastor, or priest, or talk to a Christian friend or coworker. You can also go to:
https://www.compellingtruth.org/personal-savior.html
Rate and review on your podcast app! Send us questions, suggestions, feedback, and ideas for guests to interview at axeandscalpelmedia@gmail.com. All opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals and not any organizations they are affiliated with. No medical information or opinions shared should be understood to be personal medical advice by the listener and you are encouraged to discuss your own or your pet's healthcare needs with your own physician or veterinarian.

Wednesday Apr 09, 2025
Wednesday Apr 09, 2025
In this episode of TheoCuts, the guts delve into the concept of happiness as presented in the Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. They explore the paradoxical nature of happiness in relation to being poor in spirit, mourning, and meekness while also breaking down what these terms mean. Through personal anecdotes and theological insights, they discuss how these teachings challenge conventional views of happiness and encourage a deeper understanding of spiritual fulfillment.
TAKEAWAYS:
Happiness is often found in unexpected places, such as humility and mourning.
The Beatitudes present a counter-cultural view of happiness.
Being poor in spirit means finding contentment in God rather than worldly wealth.
Mourning can lead to deeper spiritual growth and reliance on God.
Meekness is not weakness; it is strength under control.
True happiness comes from understanding and living out spiritual truths.
The Beatitudes encourage us to rethink our definitions of success and fulfillment.
Experiencing hardship can lead to profound lessons and growth.
The historical context of the Beatitudes enhances their meaning and relevance today.
Faith plays a crucial role in finding joy amidst life's challenges.
Rate and review on your podcast app! Send us questions, suggestions, feedback, and ideas for guests to interview at axeandscalpelmedia@gmail.com. All opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals and not any organizations they are affiliated with. No medical information or opinions shared should be understood to be personal medical advice by the listener and you are encouraged to discuss your own or your pet's healthcare needs with your own physician or veterinarian.

Monday Apr 07, 2025
Monday Apr 07, 2025
After an opening salvo in March touching on everything from politics to professional sports, The Axe and Scalpel Podcast turns towards its central theme. The intersection of Society, Culture and Faith. Long time radio man Johnny Velebir hosts Dr. Rick Rapp and Dr. Jacob Smith in a discussion on what it means to be happy. Media consumers are bludgeoned to death with self-help that promises to achieve happiness. There is even more opportunity to silence the effects of a lack of happiness through modern medicine. What exactly is happiness? The crew examines what exactly is meant by being happy in the 21st century, what it meant generations ago, and what Jesus said about the whole thing.
Rate and review on your podcast app! Send us questions, suggestions, feedback, and ideas for guests to interview at axeandscalpelmedia@gmail.com. All opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals and not any organizations they are affiliated with. No medical information or opinions shared should be understood to be personal medical advice by the listener and you are encouraged to discuss your own healthcare needs with your own physician or veterinarian.

Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Many people know the heartwarming stories from James Herriot's famous books, All Creatures Great and Small. The books tell tales of a dying breed, the "do it all" country Veterinarian. Dr. Todd Berry is one of the last of that breed. He has been treating All Creatures on farm and in clinic in Northern Wisconsin for 25 years. In this episode, the crew gets to know Dr. Berry from his birth in New Orleans, to his service in the U.S Coast Guard, to the Barns of Wisconsin!
Rate and review on your podcast app! Send us questions, suggestions, feedback, and ideas for guests to interview at axeandscalpelmedia@gmail.com. All opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals and not any organizations they are affiliated with. No medical information or opinions shared should be understood to be personal medical advice by the listener and you are encouraged to discuss your own healthcare needs with your own physician or veterinarian.

Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
In TheoCuts this week, Dr. Rick, Johnny V, Dr. Jake and his 15 year old son Masyn discuss the Parable of the Good Samaritan. What is a good neighbor? How can we be good neighbors in our families, our communities, and our country?
Rate and review on your podcast app! Send us questions, suggestions, feedback, and ideas for guests to interview at axeandscalpelmedia@gmail.com. All opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals and not any organizations they are affiliated with. No medical information or opinions shared should be understood to be personal medical advice by the listener and you are encouraged to discuss your own or your pet's healthcare needs with your own physician or veterinarian.

Monday Mar 31, 2025
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Fox News recently had some fun with a public figure in Oregon Identifying as a Turtle. That can't be real, can it? Everybody is talking Tariffs. Last month we were all experts on aviation, now it's the import and export economy of the United States. The crew discusses the basics of Tariffs and what that might mean. Also, Was it really a "Rescue Mission" to the International Space station? Elon deserves some credit, doesn't he?
Rate and review on your podcast app! Send us questions, suggestions, feedback, and ideas for guests to interview at axeandscalpelmedia@gmail.com. All opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals and not any organizations they are affiliated with. No medical information or opinions shared should be understood to be personal medical advice by the listener and you are encouraged to discuss your own healthcare needs with your own physician or veterinarian.

Friday Mar 28, 2025
Friday Mar 28, 2025
Johnny V and Dr. Rick discuss the upcoming Wisconsin Spring election. Eyes nationwide seem to be on the race for Supreme Court between Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford.

Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
In TheoCuts this week, Dr. Rapp and Johnny V discuss the divine attributes or qualities of God to help us each know Him better and move towards loving Him with all of our hearts, minds, and souls.
Rate and review on your podcast app! Send us questions, suggestions, feedback, and ideas for guests to interview at axeandscalpelmedia@gmail.com. All opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the individuals and not any organizations they are affiliated with. No medical information or opinions shared should be understood to be personal medical advice by the listener and you are encouraged to discuss your own healthcare needs with your own physician.









